Provincial Grand Lodge Of Berks And Bucks.

The PROV . GRAND MASTER , addressing the brethren , expressed the pleasure he felt at the progress of ATasonry in the province . As they had learnt , new lodges had been consecrated during the past year in places where they were likely to flourish . ( Applause . ) Such progress pleased them all , and he could but express the hope that their prosperity would continue , and prove a credit to the brethren

generally . ( Applause . ) Bros . E . P . Plenty , ] . D . 574 ; J . Tomkins , P . M . 945 ; and R . Nicholson , S . W . 156 G , were then severally presented by the Prov . Grand Alaster with that coveted of all honours , the Charity jewel . The Provincial Grand Officers for the ensuing year were appointed and invested by the Prov . Grand Alaster as under : —

Bro . T . Taylor , 1410 Prov . G . S . W . „ J . Wilson , 209 Prov . G . J . W . " o - w - ? •? '' ?' ' ' 1 Prov . G . Chaps . „ Rev . H . G . Layton , 591 a ... ) ' ,, C . Stephens , 414 Prov . G . Treas . .. E . Davev , isGG Prov . G . Reg .

„ Robert Bradley , 414 Prov . G . Sec . „ L . M . Nixon , 771 and 1501 ... Prov . G . S . D . ,, W . Ferguson , 1101 ... ... Prov . G . j . D . „ C . E . Belcher , 1770 Prov . G . S . of VV " iY" J ,- " ¦ " u . } Prov . G . D . Cirs . ,, Stephen Knight , 574 ... ... ) ' „ Dick Radcyffe , 209 Prov . G . A . D . C . J

„ L . Margretts , 1101 lrov . U . ** r >\ vd . u ,, E . Carr , 1410 Prov . G . Org . „ VV . F . Large , S 40 Prov . G . Purst . „ C . Nowell Prov . G . A . Purst Bros . E . Blackwell , 1101 ; R . Dowsett , ~ j 110 . ; J . VV . Martin , 1 . or ; J E . ( p G g d Sydenham , 1101 ; C . A . Lharubin , I 591 ; and J . Wilson Thorpe , 17 S 7 1 Bro . VV . Hemmings Prov . G . Tyler .

At the conclusion of the lodge business , the brethren adjourned to the George Hotel , and sat down to a recherche banquet , presided over by the Prov . Grand Alaster . " The Queen and the Craft" was the first toast proposed , and this having been drunk with enthusiasm , The PROV . GRAND MASTER proposed "The Health of their Alost Worshi p ful Bro . H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , Grand Master of England . " He pro-nosed the toast with

a deal of pleasure , being sensible of the fact that the Freemasons never had a Grand Alaster who took a deeper interest in Alasonry or devoted more time in promoting the prosperity of the Craft than the Prince of Wa ' es . ( Apjilause . ) The CHAIRMAN next proposed "The Health of the Al . VV . the Pro Grand Alaster , the Earl of Carnarvon ; the R . W . the D . G . AI ., the Earl of Lathom ; and the Grand

Officers of England , Present and Past . " With this toast he associated the name of Bro . Rawson , P . D . G . AI . China . Bro . RAWSO . V , in response , said that without good officers no army could succeed . They knew the Alasonic Army had been successful ; and he felt that some share of the honour might be justly attributed to those brethren who had held important offices in the different counties . ( Applause . ) The anxious care with which they discharged their duties

was shown in the large attendance at the annual gatherings in this and other provinces throughout the British Dominions . ( Applause . ) Bro . the Rev J . S . BROWNRIGG , D . P . G . M ., rose to propose what he felt to be the toast of the day . He was afraid he was a very indifferent spokesman to represent , notonly the brethren of the province but also the brethren who had congregated in such numbers from lodges

throughout the district of which Aylesbury was the centre . He remembered when the Aylesbury and St . Barnabas Lodges were almost the only two in that part of the province . They could not expect to see tlieir Provincial Grand AIaster among them very often , and he therefore felt jileased that an assemblage of Alasons worthy of Sir Daniel ' s presence had gathered together on this occasion . ( Applause ) . The Bucks brethren especially desired to give him a most hearty

welcome to that part of his province , and thus show their appreciation of his many and high Alasonic qualities . ( Applause . ) He asked the company to drink " The P . G . Alaster's Health . " ( Applause ) . The PROVINCIAL GRAND AIASTER in acknowledging the hearty reception given to the toast observed that many years had passed since he had first the honour of presiding in that lodge , and he hoped and believed from the kindness

shown him that his efforts had not been altogether unsuccessful . ( Apjilausc . ) If there had been the success that he thought there had , it had resulted from the kind support he had received from the officers of thc province , particularly the Secretary , the Deputy Grand Alaster , and others who carried out the more active part of the work . Time rolled on fast , and it could not be many years hence at the most when some one else would fill the position he now

occupied . I hey were still progressing as regards numbers , but he hoped they would not be unmindful of one of the greatest objects of Alasonry , viz ., that it should make a man better than he was before . ( Applause . ) Let them aim not to increase their numbers so much as to initiate into the Order those who promised to reflect credit ujion their Craft ( applause ) , because they need then never be afraid to have their inward working looked into by

outsiders . ( Applause . ) 1 hey knew that the principles of Freemasonry , faithfully practised , would lead them to a future that would be bright and lasting . Let them all endeavour to carry out the great and noble principles of the Order , remembering they were all here but for a short time , and that thc future was that for whicii they had to care . ( Applause . ) He thanked them one and all for their kindness , and expressed his hope that they would be spared to

meet again under similar circumstances . ( Apj ) lause . ) Sir DANIEL GOOCH , P . G . AL , in proposing "The Health of the V . W . the D . P . G . AI ., the Past D . P . G . Alasters , and Past Grand Officers of the Province , " spoke of Bro . Brownrigg as one of thc most zealous Alasons in the province ( applause ) , and he felt the advantage , by being relieved of much anxiety and labour , in having such a valuable Deputy as Bro . Brownrigg to aid him . ( Applause ) .

Bro . BROWNRIGG said he was extremely sensible of the intensely kind fieling with whicii he had been viewed by every lodge he had visited in the province . When he was not able to be present they must take the will for thc deed . ( Applause . ) He hoped the Past Grand Officers would return to their respective lodges with renewed strength and zeal , and not feel that they were past work . ( Applause . ) Bro . the Rev . N . T . GARRY , Prov . G . Chap ., proposed The toast of "The Alasonic Charities , " remarking that he

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Berks And Bucks.

regarded it as a great privilege to be allowed to do so . He had experienced much delight in having been invested with the purple in that dear old town of Aylesbury , where , twenty years ago , he had spent ten happy months as curate . He believed the great power of English life was their charitable institutions , and in that sense he considered the toast he had given to be the toast of the day . It was his privilege to spend Sunday in London , where collections

were made at every church in aid of the Hospitals . He was present at St . Paul's in the evening , and he could assure the brethren it was a wonderful sight to see that enormous building crowded from end to end with more than four thousand people , and to feel that _ throughout that vast assemblage , and other congregations in all parts of the metropolis , one chord was being struck , the chord of Christian charity and sympathy , and that for

once , at least , our people could rise above their sectarian differences and distinctive creeds in one grand effort to succour suffering humanity . _ ( Applause ) . With regard to the Charitable Institutions of the Order he felt that they were the soul of Alasonry . They were accustomed to the criticisms of outsiders , but their reply to such should be that theirs was a truly charitable association , and there could be no doubt that was one great

reason why Alasonry was making such great progress . The English always had been a charitable race , and the more fully the true principles were understood , the more would Masonry flourish and abound . ( Applause . ) He gave the toast with all his heart , and considered the most noble decoration a Alason could wear was the Charity jewel , such as that with which Sir Daniel had invested several brethren that day . ( Applause . ) No Freemason

should rest contented until he had earned the right of wearing the Charity jewel—the greatest of all Alasonic honour- ? : ( Applause . ) He associated with the toast the name of Bro . Biggs , and he had much pleasure in doing so . ( Applause . ) Bro . BIGGS , Past P . G . Secretary , in reply , said he

esteemed it a very high compliment indeed to have had his name connected with the last toast , and he could but wish that he had been endowed with eloquence to have done sufficient justice to the subject . He was convinced that of all the Charitable Institutions of which the world could boast none could excel those of the Alasonic Order .

( Applause ) . He thought the progress made in this province as regarded the help given to their Charitable Institutions formed the golden leaf in the wreath that adorned Sir Daniel's Masonic brow . ( Applause . ) He had seen an analysis of the charitable contributions of the various provinces , and was glad to find that , in proportion to its numerical strength , the Berks and Bucks Province did more towards helping their Charitable Institutions than

almost any other province in the country . ( Applause . ) He felt that that result was due in a large measure to the charity scheme , organised so successfully a few years ago by their much-esteemed Provincial Grand Alaster . ( Applause . ) " The Wardens and other Officers appointed that day " was the next toast proposed by the P . G . AL , and responded to by Bro . TAYLOR .

The PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER then gave "The W . AL , Officers , and Brethren of the Buckingham Lodge , No . 591 , " thanking them frfr the excellent arrangement they had made for the reception of the Provincial Grand Lodge . ( Applause . ) Thc W . AL of the lodge ( Bro . POULTON ) having returned thanks , "The Health of the Prov . Grand Treasurer ( Bro . Stephens ) and the Prov . Grand Secretary ( Bro . R .

Bradley ) , " was proposed by the P . G . AI ., who spoke in the warmest terms on behalf of himself and the brethren generally of the efficient manner in which Bro . Bradley had discharged his duties . ( Applause . ) Bro . R . BRADLEY , P . G . S ., responding , gave some interesting particulars of the progress of Alasonry in the province , showing that the newly-consecrated lodges would supply a real want in the several districts in which they

had been established . As regards the support given to Charitable Institutions connected with the Craft , the Berks and Bucks Province could hold up its head among the provinces of the country . ( Applause . ) He congratulated the brethren on having succeeded in obtaining the election of all the candidates whose cases they had taken up . ( Applause . ) Before long he hoped they might so organise as to avoid the possible waste of any of the votes . ( Applause . )

He was pleased to find the great attention paid to the working in the different lodges , and hoped they might continue in this strict adherence to the ancient ritual . ( Applause . ) The remaining toasts included that of "The Provincial Grand Stewards " and the Tyler . The evening ' s proceedings were pleasingly diversified by the singing of r -. ome glees and songs by several of the brethren .

Precedence Of Provincial Grand Officers.

PRECEDENCE OF PROVINCIAL GRAND OFFICERS .

Copy of correspondence between Bro . Newmarch , P . D . P . G . AI . Gloucestershire , and the Grand Registrar of England , as to the precedence of Provincial Grand Officers within tlieir own districts .

1 . —Bro . Newmarch to the Grand Registrar . Cirencester , 14 th Alay , 1 SS 1 . Dear Sir and V . W . Brother , — 1 feel sure that you will kindly permit me ( oilierwise I should not write to you ) to bring before you a question which was discussed , though in a perfectly friendly

and fraternal spirit , at Gloucester last Thursday , as to the jirecedcnce of Grand Officers and of Provincial Grand Officers within the particular province of the latter ; to state which question and the arguments on it , clearly , 1 should perhaps mention facts which are otherwise doubtless familiar to you as the Grand Registrar . The Alasonic Fraternity , under its Constitutions , is

governed by a central body styled "The Grand Lodge , " consisting of a Grand Alaster , a Pro Grand AIaster , a Deputy Grand Alaster , Grand Wardens , and other Officers whose rank is established and set forth in the Constitutions ; and , the Fraternity in the country being divided into provinces , each province has , and is governed by , a " Provincial Grand Lodge , " presided over by a Provincial Grand Master , who is empowered to appoint for his pro-

Precedence Of Provincial Grand Officers.

vince a Deputy and other Grand Officers ( except the Treasurer , who is elected ) , these Provincial Grand Officers bearing similar names , with the prefix "Provincial . " and performing within their particular districts ; similar , duties to those which Grand Olficcrs bear and perform in the Grand Lodge . The Grand Master , or Pro Grand Master , and in their

absence the Deputy Grand Alaster , have " authority to preside in any lodge ; " and , if attended by Grand Wardens , such Grand Wardens act as Wardens of the lodge visited dur - ing the presence of the Grand Master , or Pro , or Deputy Grand Master . In like manner , a Provincial Grand Master , and , in his absence , his Deputy , " may preside in every lodge he visits within his district ; on each

occasion of a visit by a Provincial Grand Master , his Wardens , if present , may act as Wardens of that particular lodge during his presence . Provincial Grand Masters are ex-officio members of the Grand Lodge , and have a stated rank in it . Deputy Prov . Grand Masters and Provincial- Grand Officers , however , are not , by their apoointments , members of the Grand

Lodge , nor do they take any rank out of their district . But , as to the rank and position of Deputy Provincial Grand Officers within their own particular province , the Constitutions run as follows : ¦—As to the Deputy Prov . Grand Master : " He is invested with the rank of a Deputy Grand Alaster within the province , and presides , unless the Provincial Grand Alaster be present , in any lodge he may

visit within his district . " And as to Provincial Grand Officers : " Such officers are to be respectively invested in the Provincial Grand Lodge , and shall possess , within their district , the rank and privileges of Grand Officers . " At a meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Gloucestershire , presided over by its own Provincial Grand AIaster , attended by his Prov . Grand Officers , certain

Present and Past Officers of Grand Lodge attended , and * a question arose with reference to the rank and precedence of such Grand Officers , as between them and the Provincial Grand Officers of Gloucestershire , at the ] meeting in question . On the part of the officers of the Grand Lodge it was contended that they , of whatever grade , took precedence of the Provincial Grand Officers of whatever grade ; while

for the Provincial Grand Officers of Gloucestershire it was maintained that they , being within their own district , possessed there the rank of Grand Officers ( see Constitution above quoted ) , and that consequently , in the lodge in question , their Deputy Grand Alaster and Grand Wardens took precedence of Grand Officers of lower rank than Wardens , and that each of their subordinate Provincial Grand

Officeis took precedence over Grand Officers of lower respective ranks ; and that , as between officers of the same nominal rank in the Grand Lodge and in the Prov . Grand Lodge of Gloucestershire , at the Provincial Grand Lodge in question , at Gloucester , the Provincial Grand Officers of Gloucestershire , being within their own district , ranked there as Grand Officers of the grade they respectively held ,

equally with officers of the Grand Lodge of the like grades respectively ; precedence in these cases being governed by thc seniority of their respective appointments . It not troubling you too much , I should esteem a reply , statiifg your opinion upon the questions raised , a favour . Believe me to remain , dear Sir and Brother , very truly and fraternally yours , GEO . FRED . NEWMARCH , Past D . P . G . AI . Gloucestershire . The V . W . Bro . / Eneas Melntyre , Q . C . ALP ., Grand Registrar .

2 . —The Grand Registrar to Bro . Newmarch . 1 , Park Square West , Regent ' s Park , N . W ., 21 st May , 1 S 81 . Dear Sir and Brother , 1 have been very much pressed with court work during the past week , and consequently have not been able before this to reply to your letter of the 16 th instant .

_ Your argument in favour of the precedence of Provincial Grand Officers in their respective provinces is doubtless very specious , but I cannot bring myself to think that your views are correct . I have always thought that the Grand Officers of the Grand Lodge of England are Grand Officers of England in every province thereof , and in each province take

precedence of the Provincial Grand Officers , in like manner as the Al . VV . G . AL , by whom they are appointed , takes precedence in every province of the Provincial Grand Alaster by whom the Provincial Grand Officers are appointed . It appears to me that , if your argument were pressed to its logical conclusion , in his own province the Provincial Grand Master would take precedence of the Al . VV . Grand Alaster of England .

I am a Past Senior Grand Warden of a province , but in that province my provincial rank has always been subordinated to my position as a Grand Officer of England . The great authority in matters of precedence is Sir Albert Woods , who , as Garter King-at-Arms , is , I think , better versed in questions of this kind than any one I have met with . I remain , yours faithfully and fraternally , . -TINEAS J . MCINTVRE . C . F . Newmarch , Esq ., Past D . P . G . M . Gloucestershire .

[ 3 . —Bro . Newmarch to the Grand Registrar . Cirencester , 24 th May , 1 S 81 . Dear Sir and V . W . Brother , — I thank you for your letter , but , as you characterise my argument in favour of the precedence of _ Prov . Grand Officers in their respective provinces as " specious , " I must

ask you to permit me to press you as a lawyer to say whether the plain words of the Constitutions admit of any other true legal construction than that I give to them . 1 quite agree with you in this , " that the Grand Officers of the Grand Lodge of England are G . Officers of England in every province thereof , " but ( as it seems to me ) clearly only of the rank they may respectively happen to hold ; for

example—a Grand Deacon is only a Grand Deacon , and if a Grand Deacon of England visits a province in which a Provincial Grand Officer , of higher rank than a Grand Deacon , say a Prov . Grand Warden of that province , is present , the latter being , by the Constitutions , a Grand Warden in his own province , ranks before the Grand Deacon , though he may be a Grand Deacon of England . The case you put of the M . W . the Grand Master ( forgive me for saying so ) is not , I think , in point . He is supreme , the head of the Craft , the fountain of its honour , with ex