Provincial Grand Lodge Of Essex.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF ESSEX .

i he annual meeting of the above Provincial Grand Lodge was held at Grays on the 17 th inst ., and was in everyway a great success . The brethren ofthe St . John ' s Lodge , No . 13 + 3 , entered very heartily into the matter , and headed by their Worshipful Master , Bro . C . Westwood , with Bro . H . C , Borradaile as Secretary , did all in their power to render the occasion a redletter day in the annals of the province . The Masonic Hall , where the

meeting was held , was adorned with the banners of the various lodges , while the route from the station thereto was gay with bunting , and stretching across the road was a streamer with the sentiment , " Long live the Earl . " The Prov . G . M ., Bro . the Earl of Warwick , arrived at Grays Station from Easton Lodge at 1 . 30 , accompanied by the D . P . G . M ., Bro . Fred . A .

Philbrick , Q . C , G . Reg . ( Recorder of Colchester ) j Bros . Col . Lockwood , M . P . ; Sir W . Neville Abdy , Bart . ; Lennox Browne , P . D . G . D . C . ; Richard Clowes , P . G . Std . Br . ; Claude E . Egerton-Green , W . M . 51 , Prov . G . Treas . ( Mayor of Colchester ); and other distinguished brethren . The party were met at the station by Bro . Westwood , W . M . 1343 , and the Prov . G . Sec , Bro . T . ( . Railing , and escorted to the place of meeting .

By 2 . 30 p . m ., at which hour the business of the day commenced , the Masonic Hall was filled to its utmost capacity , and when Uro . ' the Earl of Warwick , accompanied by his officers , entered the hall they were greeted with the utmost cordiality . The Prov . Grand Officers present

were—Bros . Sir W . Neville Abdy , Bart , S . G . W . ; Edgar C . Wills , J . G . W . ; the Rev , W . Linton Wilson , G . Chap . ; Claude E . Egerton-Green ( Mayor of Colchester ) , G . Treas . ; Thos . J . Railing , G . Sec . ; F . A . Renshaw , J . G . D . ; W . M . Butcher , G . Supt . of Wks . ; A . Lucking , G . D . C ; G . W . King , D . G . D . C . ; George Brown , G . S . B . ; C . R . Finch , G . Std . Br . ; Frederick Bevan , G . Org . ; G . F . Golding , A . G . P . ; and A . W . Martin , G . Tyler . Amongst the other brethren

present were Bros . Matthew Clark , P . G . D ., P . P . D . G . M . ; J . M . McLeod , P . P . S . G . W . Derby , Sec . R . M . I . B . ; the Ven . the Archdeacon of Essex ( Canon Stevens ); the Rev . J . II . Smith , W . M . 1921 , P . P . G . Chap . Leicestershire and Rutland ; G . Corbie , P . M . 453 , P . P . J . G . W . ; T . Humphreys , P . M . 1437 , P . P . S . G . W . ; W . Ernest Dring , P . M . 2318 , P . P . S . G . D . ; J . J . C . Turner , P . M . 51 , P . P . S . G . W . ; E . Shedd , P . M . 276 , P . P . G . R . ; C . I . R . Tijou , P . A . G . P . Eng . ;

G . H . Finch , P . M . 2006 , P . P . J . G . W . ; A . J . Manning , P . M . 437 , P . P . J . G . D . ; the Rev . J . P . Noyes , P . P . G . Chap . ; F . H . Meg-ry , P . M . 270 , P . P . A . G . D . C . ; F . Wood , P . M . and Treas . 1000 , P . P . S . G . W . ; H . E . Dehane , P . M . 1543 , P . P . S . G . D . ; J . Boulton , P . M . 2442 , P . P . S . G . D . ; H . Francis , P . M . 51 , P . P . G . Stwd . ; J . Bruton , P . M . and Sec . 200 G , P . P . D . G . D . C . ; Geo . Copus , P . M . 2154 , P . P . G . S . of Wks .-, R . D . Poppleton , P . M . 433 . P . P . S . G . D . ;• ] . E . Wiseman , P . M . 433 , P . P . S . G . D . ; Wm . Shurmur , P . M . 2374 , P . P . G . Treas . ; M . W . Meade ,

P . M . 1977 , Sec . 2342 , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; E . H . Baily , P . M . 2006 , P . P . J . G . W . ; Francis A . White , P . M . 1437 , P . P . G . R . ; Geo . A . Eustace , W . M . 1977 , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; F . Sackett , P . M . 1343 , P . P . J . G . D . ; A . J . Arthy , P . M . 160 , P . P . J G . D . ; Millner Jutsum , P . M . 2154 ; Gustavus Pratt , W . M . 2477 ; Captain McKenna ; Warren Ellis , W . M . 650 ; Hy . Becker , S . W . and W . M . elect 51 ; j . P . Allen , P . M . 206 3 ; C . E . Garrard , W . M . 2339 ; W . G . Synnot , P . M ., Sec . 2339 ; W . Rooke Errington , J . W . 2154 ; Francis J . Carter , J . W . 1543 ; and many others .

The minutes of the last annual Prov . Grand Lodge , at Kelvedon , having been read and confirmed , The PROV . G . S ECRETARY stated that letters expressing regret at their inability to attend had been received from Bros . Lord Henniker , P . G . M . Suffolk ; Lord Suflield , P . G . M . Norfolk ; Lord Amherst , P . G . M . Kent ; Lord George Hamilton , P . G . M . Middx . ; the Rev . C . J . Martyn , D . P .

G . M . Suffolk ; Hamon Le Strange , D . P . G . M . Norfolk ; J . S . Eastes , D . P . G . M . Kent ; R . H . Thrupp , D . P . G . M . Middx . ; J . E . Le Keuvre , D . P . G . M . Hants and the Isle of Wight ; K . Letchworth , G . Sec . ; Col , Lambert , P . G . S . B . Eng . ; N . Tracy , Prov . G . Sec . Suffolk ; G . W . Barnard , Prov . G . Sec . Norfolk ; Howard H . Room , Prov . G . Sec . Middx . ; A . Durrant , P . P . G . Treas . ; John Mann , P . M . 51 , P . P . G . Sec ; R . Haward Ives , P . M . Si , P . P . A . G . Sec ; and others .

The roll of the lodges was called by the Puov . G . SECRETARY , and it was found that all were represented . The report of the Board of General Purposes , a copy of which having been sent to each member of Prov . Grand Lodge , was taken as read , was presented by Bro . J J . C . TURNER , P . P . S . G . W ., Chairman of the meeting of the Board at which it was agreed to . This report showed that

the accounts for the year had been audited , and that , after payment of all expenses , there was a balar . ee in hand on the general account of £ 148 3 s . 7 d . and on the Chaiity account of £ 3 6 4 s . 4 d . The returns from the lodges showed the strength of the province to be 1877 against 1862 last year . The Board recommended the payment of the following grants : Prom the General Fund : A donation of 20 guineas to the Royal Masonic Institution for

Boys ; alike sum to the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls ; and five guineas to the funds of the Grays Elementary Schools . From the Charity Fund : A donation of 20 guineas to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution . The report also contained a suggestion that in future there should be a cold luncheon before the meeiing of Prov . Grand Lodge in preference to a hot banquet in the middle of the afternoon .

Some discussion ensued upon the last paragraph , and eventually it was decided that the question should be left to the entertaining lodge . The report was then adopted , and it was decided that the portrait to be inserted in the next calendar should be that of Bro . John J . C . Turner . The report of the Charity Committee was presented , and showed that during the year two girls , two boys , and two widows had been elected in the respective Institutions .

The report was adopted , a special vote of thanks being passed to the Charity representatives for the excellent work they had done . The P RUV . GRAND MASTER then addressed the brethren , referring to the pleasuie he felt at meeting them at these anniversary gatherings when they were , wilh himself , actuated by the one desire that l'reemasonry should

be prosperous in the province and that the greatest : amity and cordiality should exist amongst them . The years during which he had had the honour of being at the head of the Order in Essex were telling up , and each year he felt , if possible , more thankful for thecordial and kind support they always gave him and more prcud of the position of the Order in Essex . Referring

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Essex.

to the report of the Board of General Purposes , his lordship said that though the returns did not show a very large increase in the number of members , it was satisfactory that in these hard times there was no decline . He was glad they were able to give such good grants to the Charities and to maintain generally their support to those noble Institutions . He found that during the past year the province had contributed-about ^ 1000 to the funds of the three great Charities . About one half of this had gone to the Boys' School ,

but he hoped that the authorities of the other Institutions would not think they wished to support one Charity at the expense of the others , as he believed it would be found that taking one year with another the average would show that they had endeavoured to give equal liberal support to all of them . In conclusion his lordship expressed his great regret that the Secretary of the lodge under whose auspices they were met was prevented by illness from being present . He felt sure he was expressing all their wishes when he said he trusted that Bro . Cobham ' s restoration to health

might be speedy and complete . The next business was the election of the Board of General Purposes for the ensuing year . There were six nominations for the four vacancies , and on a ballot being taken the following were elected , viz ., Bros . W . E . Dring , Rev . Thomas Lloyd , VV . D . Merritt , and J . J . C . Turner . For the post of Prov . Grand Treasurer there was but one nomination , Bro . Nathaniel Fortescue , P . M . 2374 , and he was unanimously elected .

The PROV . GRAND MASTER then announced , amidst hearty applause , that Bro . F . A . Philbrick had kindly assented to continue to act as his Deputy , and he heartily thanked him for the great assistance he was in the work of the province . His lordship then appointed and invested his officers for the year as under :

Bro . Col . Lockwood , M . P ., W . M . 2504 ... ... Prov . S . G . W . „ F . S . Guy , I . P . M . 1343 - Prov . J . G . W . ,, Rev . F . Haslock , Chap . 1343 ... ... Prov . G . Chap . ., Millner Jutsum , P . M . 2154 ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ Thos . I . Ratline . P . M . and Sec . Si , froth year )

P . A . G . D . C . Eng . ... ... ... Prov . G . Sec „ A . G . S Manning P . M . 2006 ) Prov . S . G . Ds . „ R . Kershaw , W . M . 2374 •••> „ Harold Francis , P . M . 51 ... 'I Prov I G Ds . „ F . Lubbock Termvn , I . P . M . 2005 ... ¦•¦) J

„ J . J . Briginshaw , P . M . 2256 ... ... Prov . G . S . of W . „ A . Lucking , P . M . 1000 ( 22 ndyear ) , P . G . P . Eng . Prov . G . D . of C . „ J . G . Hammond , I . P . M . 2184 ••• Prov . D . G . D . of C . „ A . F . Lay , P . M . 2501 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . of C . U „ U » D . ' f * W rV / f . 11 Prnu fl . S . R . raiui 1 in ... ... - ¦ .-..

—,, . , rr . m . ^ jj » . " U ^ TC ^' . PU 650 i Pro . G . Std . Brs . „ W . A . S . Staley , I . P . M . 2442 ... ... ) „ J . G . Wingrove , Org . 1343 ... ... Prov . G . Org . .. C . Williams . P . M . 276 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Sec .

„ W . Carter Wood , I . P . M . 1734 ... ... Prov . G . Purst . „ J . Starling , P . M . 206 3 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Purst . „ Chas . Westwood , W . M . 1343 ... ... ^ )

„ G . N . Watson , I . P . M . 697 ... ... | „ C . W . Randall I . P . M . 1709 L Prov . G . Stwds . ,, h . ] . Cumine , W . M . 1000 ... ... | „ S . Prictor , W . M . 1817 ... ... ... I .. V . VV : Pdlimr . S . W . IIA- I

„ A . W . Martin ... ... ... Pi ov . G . Tyler . Bro . F . S . Guy , Prov . J . G . W ., was elected a member of the Charity Commities in tbe place of Bro . J . H . Vaux , deceased .

The DEPUTY PROY . GRAND MASTER proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the brethren of ihe local lodge for the excellent arrangements they had made for the reception of Prov . Grand Lodge . If they had been " popular candidates , " the town could not have looked more gay , and he felt sure that all must have devoted considerable time and labour to the woik of

preparation . Bro . Col . LOCKWOOD , M . P ., S . G . W ., said he did not know anything about " popular candidates , " but he should be pleased to second the vote of thanks . The resolution having been carried by acclamation , Bro . C . WESTWOOD , W . M . 1343 , thanked the brethren for their kind acknowledgment of the efforts they had made to render the day ' s

proceedings a success . The PROV . GRAND MASTER having announced that the meeting next year would be held at Maldon , the proceedings ended . About 140 brethren subsequently dined together in the National Schools , under the presidency of the Prov . Grand Master .

Summer Entertainment To The Masonic Annuitants At Croydon.

SUMMER ENTERTAINMENT TO THE MASONIC ANNUITANTS AT CROYDON .

The annual summer entertainment ; to the annuitants of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution who are resident at the buildings at Croydon was given this year on Wednesday , the 17 th inst ., and the popularity of this endeavour of Bro . James Terry , the Sec , to add a joy to the aged people in their days of rest was testified by an increased number of visitors who accepted

his generous invitation to be present on the occasion . The party was favoured by lovely weather , and on the arrival of the brethren and ladxs they were able to enjoy themselves in the pretty grounds of the Institution . They all met with a most cordial reception by Bro . Terry , who had gone down by an earlier train to complete the arrangements , with his lieutenant , Bro . J . G .

Stevens . The gardens , notwithstanding the long-continued drought , were in beautiful condition , and the flowers , ol which there was an abundance , looked none the worse for lack of water . The buildings were also in fin " order , and evidenced the constant care and attention which are bestowed by

the Committees and the ollice-bearers of the Institution in keeping them m a proper state of repair . The company arrived on the ground shortly aher four p . m ., and were highly gratified at finding that Bro . George E . Fairchild , A . G . D . C , was Chairman of the day . There were some ( io ladies and brethren in the party , and among them were—