Provincial Grand Lodge Of West Yorkshire.

finctions in London , amongst which the inauguration of the Centenary Hall and cw buildings of the R . M . I . for Girls stands out prominently , on which occasion Heir Royal Highnesses the Piinceand Princess of Wales and their daughters were present . On the 7 th April we dedicated the new Masonic Hall at Batley , built by the _ brethren of T-afalgar Lodge , No . 971 . The warrant of this lodge is now safely housed in most com-< vHimis lodn-e premises , the building of which reflects great credit on the members of

' , ¦ | 0 dge . We offer hearty congratulations on the construction of this new temple to Masonry in Batley . In the appointment of officers I am surrounded with difficulties , so nany Past Masters and so few collars to bestow , I have done my best in selection . I ' hall distribute these collars as widely as possible , and 1 beg of all the lodges to accept niv impartial efforts as the best I can do with 1064 Worshipful Masters and l- 'ast Masters on the roll , to recognise merit with so few honours at my disposal under the powers I nossess by the Book of Constitutions . I thank you for your attention in listening to this annual address .

The D . P . G . M ., Bro . HENRY SMITH , after thanking the numerous brethren assembled for their hearty greeting , called the attention of W . M . ' s and Secretaries of lodges to several small matters of discipline and detail . Amongst these were the occasional neglect of Provincial Grand Lodge By-law 4 6 , and the omission of

names and ages of candidates on lodge summonses . He also impressed upon them the duty of promptly communicating with the Prov . G . Secretary in the case of the death of any member of their lodges . The following ruling of Grand Lodge in respect to honorary members was then read by the Prov . G . Registrar , Bro . H AROLD THOMAS :

1 . By accepting the position of honorary member a brother , ipso facto , removes his name from the lodge as a subscribing member . He therefore ceases to belong to it at all ; he cannot speak therein ; his name cannot appear in the annual returns ; and if he is not a subscribing member to

some other lodge he comes under Art . 152 , Book of Constitutions , and can only be present once . He can only be re-instated in his former position of subscribing member by proposal , ballot , election , and paying joining fee exactly like any other joining member .

2 . A lodge has no power whatever to remit arrears of subscription . The bylaws of all lodges distinctly order each member to pay a certain sum annually , and to declare that he need not do so is to deliberately violate those by-laws . 3 . A Past Master who is a Past Provincial Grand Officer does not lose his Provincial rank by non-subscription for 12 months ; he retains it under Article 96 , Book of Constitutions . What he does lose is his seat in Grand or Provincial Grand Lodge , under Articles ' 9 and' 81 .

4 . Grand Lodge not recognising honorary members , of course lays down no laws as to their election . Some lodges provide for this in their by-laws , but in the absence of any such rule the majority present can elect at any meeting without previous notice , it being a matter outside the laws of the Craft .

5 . It would clearly be impossible to include in the Book of Constitutions regulations on a subject not recognised by it . Those Constitutions legislate entirely for subscribing members , whereas honorary members are actually not members at all .

The report of the Charity Committee having been read and adopted , the P . G . Treasurer next presented his statement of accounts for the year ending 31 st March , 1891 . This , which showed a balance in Messrs . Beckett and Co . ' s bank of £ 914 14 s . 3 d ., on the motion of Bro . H . THOMAS , seconded by Bro . J HEY , 387 , was received and adopted .

Bro . WATSON , the Hon . Librarian , reported upon the number of books which ' had been added to the collection during the year , briefly called attention to the valuable MS . which had been purchased and presented by the Prov . Grand Master , and concluded by moving , according to previous notice—'' That a grant of £ 20 be made to the Library Fund . " This was seconded by Bro . Jos . BINNEY , P . M ., and carried .

Bro . 1 . HARRISON , P . M . 296 , P . G . Treasurer , then proposed that Bro . Wm . Pepper , P . M . 1042 , be appointed Treasurer for the ensuing year . Bro . B . BROUGHTON seconded , and it was carried unanimously . Bro . PEPPER , who was received with cheers , was then invested with the collar of his office , and after returning thanks took his place on the dais . The following brethren were then appointed and invested as the Prov . Grand Officers for the year :

Bro . W . F . Smithson ... ... ... ... Prov . S . G . W . ,, Capt . Arthur Tupman ... ... ... Prov . J . G . W . ... Rev . Thomas J . McNulty ... ... ... ) „_ , ., Rev . Claud A Lambert ... ... j Prov . G . Chaps . ..William Pepper ( elected ) ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ Frederick Walker ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Ree .

..Herbert G . E . Green ... ... ... Prov . G . Sec . ., Frederick Laxton ... ... ... ... 1 „ „ „ » Fred . Rand ... ... ... j Prov . S . G . Deacons .. John Hunt ... ... ... ... \ > . Alfred Jubb ... ... j Prov . J . G . Deacons .. John Gerrard ... ... ... ... Prov . G . S . of W .

., Wm . R . Thompson ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . 1 . JamesJenkin ... ... ... ... Prov . D . G . D . C . .. John Yates Rideal ... ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . •1 Colonel Francis C . Wemvss ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B .

., Robert Thompson ... ... ... ... , „ , „ » Joseph Wilson ... ... ... ... j Prov' G' Std' Brs ' ..George Frederick Carr ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . .. Joseph Matthewman ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Sec . « Joseph Thos . Walker ... ... ... Prov . G . Purst . > . George Blackburn ... ... ... ... Prov . AIG . Purst . .. Albert Walker ... ... 1

.. Sydney T . Steele ... ... ... ... I .. John Hey 1 .. Caleb England ' . ' . ' . . " . ' . ' . ' . ^ r Prov . G . Stwds . » Wilham Ramsden ... .. ' . ... ... j 1 . John Symonds ... ... ... ... J " Samuel Barrand ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler . " lhomas Lei ghton ... ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Tyler .

Coin - ( aW 2 7 hav ' g been suspended on the recommendation of the Charity mmttee , £ 20 each was voted to Bros . H . N . C , 275 , and J . J ., 1211 . Gra ?' , ' B- Fox P-M ., then proposed : " That the best thanks of this Provincial < Wt dif given t 0 W ' - W - R Smithson , P . M ., Prov . S . G . W ., for his mittee a ? u constant 'abour as a member of the Provisional Management Comnereb ' •" re-organisation of the Boys' School , and that a ' sum of £ 25 be and

in m 0 t ie , " towarcs the travelling expenses which he must have incurred l ne fulfilment of his onerous duties . " br ethrp Was , seco "ded by Bro . W . GAUKROGER , P . M ., supported warmly by several en , and carried with acclamation . ^ d aJwa "I " " tnankedthe brethren for the kindness and sympathy which they ys shown to him , assured them that his work had been a labour of love ,

Provincial Grand Lodge Of West Yorkshire.

that there was every reason to believe that the Boys' School was now on the way to success , and that in his capacity as a member of the new Board of Management the interests of that Institution should continue to receive his careful attention . He also thanked them for the help they had given him during the time he was

Chairman of the Charity Committee , and incidentally mentioned that during those five years . £ 13 , 000 had , through the munificence of his brethren , been subscribed to the Masonic Charities by this province , and that , in the election of their candidates , West Yorkshire , thanks to its excellent organisation , had not had a single failure .

The Mayors of WAKEI-IELD and DEWSUURY having acknowledged the salutations and welcome of the brethren , invitations to hold the next meeting of the Prov . G . Lodge were g iven by Bros . Hallas , 128 3 , and Fred . Rand , 242 , on the part of their respective lodges . Prov . G . Lodge was then closed . Dinner was served at the George Hotel , the P . G . Master occupying the chair .

Consecration Of The Avondale Lodge, No. 2389.

CONSECRATION OF THE AVONDALE LODGE , No . 2389 .

The Freemasons of Middlewich , some of whom have been members of the Samaritan Lodge at Sandbach , while others have been associated with the Sincerity at Northwich , have at last a home of their own . In the earl y part of the present century Masonry appears to have flourished in the town , but for some reason now unknown the lodge , which was styled the Noah's Ark , and was numbered 542 on the roll of the Grand Lodge of England , ceased to exist , and for many years the

local Masons have been compelled to travel to neighbouring towns if they wished to meet in lodge . The following copy of a circular issued b y the W . M . of the Noah ' s Ark Lodge 6 9 years ago , and now preserved in a frame by the Middlewich brethren , will be read with interest : " Middlewich , 22 nd May , 1822 . Festival of Masonry . St . John ' s Day will be celebrated at Middlewich , on Monday , the 24 th day of June next , and the Master , officers , and brethren of the Noah ' s Ark

Lodge , No . 542 , held at the King's Arms , request the pleasure and company of anj visiting brethren . The brethren are desired to meet at the King ' s Arms Inn at 10 o ' clock precisely , and from thence proceed to the church , where a sermon will be preached on the occasion by the Rev . George Leigh . Dinner tickets , 4 / -, to be had at the inn . It is requested that the Secretary of each lodge sends an account of the number of brethren who may attend the meeting , in order to provide accordingly . —J . SMITH , Master . "

When the idea of constituting a new lodge in Middlewich was mooted , it was taken up with enthusiasm , and no difficulty was . experienced in securing a charter from the Grand Lodge , the following brethren being registered as the founders Bros . Thomas Haddon , 591 ; John Plant , 1126 ; R . S . Cross , 368 ; Orlando Ball ,

3 68 ; Peter Hancock , 368 ; Dr . Joseph Moore , 428 ; Dr . Mcjannett , ; James Earl , 1724 ; James Fletcher , 3 68 ; Richard Yeomans ; Thomas Manley , 3 68 ; and Robert N . Banks , 428 . The name given to the lodge was Avondale , after H . R . H . the Duke of Clarence and Avondale , and its number on the Grand Lodge register is 2389 .

The consecration took place on Monday , the 6 th instant , the ceremony being performed by the Right Hon . Lord Egerton of Tatton , P . G . M . Owing to the accommodation at the King ' s Arms Hotel ( where the lodge is to be held ) being inadequate for the occasion , the proceedings took place in the Town Hall , the windows and walls of which had been prettily draped for the day . The P . G . M . was supported by the following brethren : —

Bros . Hon . Henry Holbrook , P . P . G . M . British Columbia , P . P . G . S . of W . Cheshire , who acted as D . P . G . M . ; James Salmon , P . S . G . W . ; A . H . Gilbody , acting P . J . G . D . ; Rev . T . W . Sturges , acting P . G . Chan . ; G . Bowen , P . A . G . P . ; G . H . Brown , P . G . D . of C ; R . H . Baker , P . A . G . D . of C . ; J- H . E . Heywood , P . G . S . B . ; Fairbrother , P . G . S . ; J . Cookson , P . G . Treasurer ; VV . Dunn , P . G . S . of W . ; G . McLelland , P . J . G . D . ; W . Wildgoose , P . P . G . Treasurer ; E . G . Parker ,

P . P . G . P . ; W . Nicholls , P . P . G . P . ; R . Newhouse , P . G . Sec ; R . Finlow P . P . S . G . O . ; R . Bebbington , P . P . G . P . ; W . Booth , P . P . G . D . of C . ; T . Moore , P . P . G . S . ; W . Ramsden , P . P . G . D . ; T . H . Maddocks , P . M ., A . G . Peterkin , I . P . M ., A . Spann , J . W ., S . S . Mellor , J . D ., E . Pritchard , Org ., J . Leicester , I . G ., T . Senior , Sec , W . Leigh , A . O ., H . Veomans , and VV . C . Such , all of 428 ; J . Heyworth , P . M . 1126

A . Parkes , W . M ., J . T . Appleby , I . P . M ., and J . H . Bebbington , Tyler , all ot 941 ; R . Hughes , I . P . M ., and J . Lowery , both of 1219 ; R . Yeomans , 451 ; T . Walker , W . M . 1126 ; Peter Jackson , P . M ., G . Bratherton , S . W ., and S . Sharatt , J . D . of 368 ; Randle Ford , 425 and 2386 ; T . Hassall , P . M . 1213 ; F . Williams , 993 ; and R . Bourne , 2368 .

All the first members ot the new lodge were in attendance . The unanimously appointed W . M . elect was Bro . J . Plant , and he was accompanied by Bros . R . S . Cross , P . Hancock , T . Haddon , J . Earl , R . H . Yeomans , O . Ball , Dr . Mcjannett , Joseph Moore , T . B . Manley , and R . N . Banks , P . M ., P . P . J . G . D .

The PROV . GRAND MASTER , having opened the lodge in the three Degrees , addressed the brethren on the motive of the meeting , and expressed the pleasure which it afforded him to assent to the petition in favour of a charter to constitute a lodge in Middlewich . The P . G . Secretary then read the petition and warrant , after which Bro . Sturges , Acting P . G . C , delivered an oration on the nature and princip les of the Institution . The consecration was proceeded with , and the lodge having been dedicated and constituted by the P . G . Master , the benediction was pronounced .

The installation of Bro . Plant as first W . M . of the new lodge followed , the ceremony being ably and effectively performed by Bro . Salmon , P . S . G . W ., assisted by Bros . Brown , P . G . D . of C , and Cookson , P . G . Treas . Having been duly installed in the chair of K . S . according to ancient custom , Bro . Plant invested his officers for the ensuing year as follows : Bros . R . S . Cross , S . W . ; P . Hancock , J . W . ; T . Haddon , Treasurer ; J . Earl , Secretary ; R . H . Yeomans , S . D . ; O . Ball , J . D . ; Dr . Mcjannett , I . G . ; Dr . J . Moore and T . B . Manley , Stwds . ;

and J . Fletcher , Tyler . The W . M ., Senior and Junior Wardens , and Treasurer and Secretary were appointed a Committee to frame by-laws . Ten candidates were proposed for initiation . A bible and a large engraved and framed portrait of the Prov . Grand Master , were presented to the lodge by the W . M . The music during both ceremonies was beautifully rendered by a special glee party , consisting of Bros . Baker , P . G . O . ; Booth , P . G . D . C . ; Dumville , and Stafford . The business being concluded , the lodge was closed .

An adjournment was made to the King ' s Arms Hotel , where a splendid banquet was provided in the new lodge room by Mr . and Mrs . Buckley , whose catering gave every satisfaction . The chair was occupied by the W . M ., who was supported by Bros , the Hon . H . Holbrook , J . Salmon , and most of the brethren who had attended the ceremony . During the banquet which was subsequently held the following telegram was despatched to the Most Worshipful Grand Master of England , his Royal Highness