Provincial Grand Lodge Of North Wales.

long life . _ It seemed that he was wishing for him what he already enjoyed . His lordship spoke of the great kindness he always received at the hands of the brethren when he came to the Prov . Grand Lodge , and said he only wished he could return the compliment as adequately as it deserved . Bro . Maj . BEST , P . P . S . G . W ., proposed "The Health of Colonel Piatt , the Deputy Provincial Grand Master , " repeating the regret they all felt at his absence .

Bro . Sir GRENVILLE WILLIAMS , P . P . S . G . W ., proposed " The Masonic Charities " in a neat speech , and with the toast he coupled the name of Bro . Benson , P . P . S . G . W ., Chairman of the North Wales Masonic Charitable Association , to whose devotion to Masonic interests he paid a high tribute , and expressed gratitude to him for his exertions on behalf of the province . Bro . BENSON , in the course of a happy reply , assured the brethren that his interest in Masonry was as warm as ever .

The Prov . G . M . having to leave to catch the mail train , the chair was taken by Bro . J . Danily , P . P . J . G . W . Other toasts were gone through , including " The Worshipful Masters and Past Masters of the Province , " and " The Visiting Brethren . " The Tyler ' s toast brought the proceedings to an end .

The Craft Abroad.

The Craft Abroad .

PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF INDIA { S . C ) A regular convocation . of the above Provincial Grand Chapter was held at Freemasons' Hall , Clare-road , BycuIIa , on Monday , the 7 th March , last , when there were present Comps . K . R . Cama , G . Supt . ; C . D . Furdoonjee , P . Dep . G . Supt . ; N . J . Guzder , as Prov . G . H . ; D . F .

Commissariatwalla , as Prov . G . J . ; Capt . C . D . Wise , Prov . G . Scribe E . ; H . J . Vakilna , as G . Scribe N . ; Rustom K . R . Cama , P . Prov . G , Recorder ; J . J . A . Penny , as P . P . G . ist Soj . ; N . N . Guzder , P . P . G . 2 nd Soj . ; F . Burdelt , P . P . G . Chancellor , as P . P . 3 rd Soj . ; Manocki M . Mehta , as P . P . G . S . B . ; C . E . Howard , P . P . G . Janitor ; and others .

Provincial Grand Chapter was opened in due and ancient form at 7 . 20 p . m ., and the summons convening the convocation was read . The minutes of the convocation , held on the 6 th September , 1 S 97 , having been printed and circulated , were taken as read and confirmed . The proceedings of the Provincial Grand Committees , held prior to the convocation , were read , put for adoption , and adopted .

The GRAND SUPERINTENDENT then said that by adopting the minutes of the Provincial Grand Committee , the companions would also adopt the nomination of oflicers for 1 S 9 S-99 . He , however , was willing to hear if any companion had to say anything in respect of the list . He observed that the list had been carefully prepared . Every consideration had been given to the claims of the companions ; there was due recognition of merit combined

with seniority . He remarked that there may be some disappointment when these offices are filled ; but the companions must bear in mind that there are many qualified Royal Arch Masons and but few officers , and that we can only climb the ladder of preferment gradually . Members of up-country chapters had claims , and they should be fairly represented . If any

deserving companion was disappointed this year in not obtaining office or promotion he might hope for future advancement . Comp . J . E . DAVURthen proposed , and Comp . N . J . GUZDER seconded that the office-bearers nominated by the Provincial Grand Committee be elected . —Carried unanimously .

The G . SUPERINTENDENT observed that he had to trouble the companions with a very few remarks on this occasion . Nothing of importance had occurred since the convocation of the Prov . Grand Chapter in September , 18 97 . The chapters had worked in peace and harmony internally as well as with each other . Since the last convocation he had the pleasure to pay official visits to Chapters Rising Star of W . L , No . 124 , on the 9 th

October ; Caledonia , No . 134 , on the 13 th ; and St . Andrew-in-the-East , No . 68 , Poona , on the 16 th of that month . He was glad to say that he found all of them working in concert and harmony . The companions had no complaints to make , and a good feeling prevailed amongst them . The books had been properly kept , and the funds were in a fairly satisfactory state . He said that he had commissioned our worthy and energetic Prov .

Grand Scribe E . to visit officially Chapters Faith and Charity , No . 72 , Karachi , and Kindred Hope , No . 1 S 6 , Oorgaum , S . I . The Provincial Grand Scribe E . had sent reports on his official visits , and the reports would be appended to the proceedings of the meeting . The reports were highly satisfactory , and he thanked Comp . Capt . C-. D . Wise for the trouble he took in visiting these chapters ,

He ( the Grand Superintendent ) was pleased to state that , with one exception , the chapters had submitted their returns for the half year ended 30 th September last . During the year ended on that date there had been 45 exaltations and 40 affiliations and 63 resignations , deaths , & c , the net increase being 31 . The Grand Superintendent urged on all Masons to keep U P their interest in Freemasonry and to try to obtain higher Degrees . He

was also pleased to say that Kilwinning in the East and Star in India Chapters , both of Calcutta , were making good progress , and he hoped they would continue to prosper with the new blood lately infused therein . He ftfirettcd to say that he had to deplore the deaths of Comp . J . J . Barrett , a niember of long standing of Perseverance Chapter ; Comp . J . Davies , of Malwa Chapter ; and Comps . Framjee P . Vakil and D . Belt , of Connaught , — , , . j j . . w .., w . vw .... * .. _ . . . . .

> -iiapter . He expressed the sympathy of the Provincial Grand Chapter ^ 'th these chapters and with their relatives in the loss they had sustained . A doubt having arisen as to whether , under the agreement made in i 860 fejwetn the Grand Lodgeof Scotland and the Supreme Grand Chapter , °° ges chartered since date of that agreement were entitled to work the J lark Degree , the question was referred to the Grand Scribe E ., and he e Phed that the working of the Degree was not restricted to those lodges in

P ° ssejsion of charters at date cf that agreement . The question was mooted ^ C Craft lodge here , and , though it was legally all right , he doubted the liability of such a step , as it would cause conflict with other bodies which Co Ulcr to conferred that Degree . The Grand Superintendent thanked the , 'PPanions for their presence . The attendance was not great , yet it was vnis ' u j Ctcr y' considering the troublous times we are passing through . They hot , rl £ V 6 ry success ant * prosperity to the Provincial Grand Chapter , and TU D ' wou'd be able to make a better report at the next meeting . he PROV . G . S . E . pointed out that the altar in use was not in accordance

The Craft Abroad.

with the description given in the Royal Arch instructions , and he suggested that one of proper pattern be obtained , and the cost shared by the Prov . G . Chapter and the other chapters using it . The G . SUPERINTENDENT thanked the Prov . G . S . E . for bringing this to notice , and on putting it to the Prov . G . Chapter the suggestion was agreed

to , and the Prov . G . S . E . was requested to write to the chapters on the subject . _ The PROV . G . S . E . reported receipt of proceedings of Supreme and District Grand Chapters , and of apologies for non-attendance of certain companions , which were duly recorded . The Provincial Grand Chapter was closed in ancient and solemn form at 8 p . m .

Ladies' Outing Of The Skelmersdale Lodge, No. 1599.

LADIES' OUTING OF THE SKELMERSDALE LODGE , No . 1599 .

The brethren of this lodge , accompanied by their ladies and friends , held high revel on Saturday , the 13 th instant , when , under the presidency of the W . M ., a most successful outing was celebrated . Among those present were Bro . Herbert Peirce , W . M ., and Mrs . Peirce ; Bro . F . W . Horn , I . P . M ., and Mrs . Horn ; Bro . G . Laker , P . M ., Sec , and Miss Laker ; Bro . G .

H . A . Harris , P . M ., Treas ., and Mrs . Harris ; Bro . C . E . Cove , S . W ., and Mr . Cove , jun . ; Bro . Walter Callingham , J . W ., and Mrs . Callingham ; Bro . C . H . Hall , J . D ., and Mrs . Hall ; Bro . W . Mokler , Steward , and Mrs . Mokler ; Bro . A . W . Diamond ; Bro . F . Cundall and Mrs . Cundall ; Bro . T . H . Roberts , W . M . 1362 ; Mr . and Mrs . C . Buckwell ; Mr . and Mrs . Frank E . Blair ; Mr . C . J . A . Harris , and others .

Meeting at London Bridge ( S . E . R . ) at two o ' clock , the party proceeded to Red Hill Junction , arriving there with commendable Saturday punctuality , but very hot and in some cases thirsty . A " bee-line" was made for that charming old-fashioned hostelry originally styled the Railway Hotel , but now universally known as Laker ' s ( it having been in the family for more

than half a century ) where refreshments on the lawn and a stroll round the pretty gardens at once put everybody in good humour . A two-hours' drive was the next item on the programme , the route taken being via Nuffield , Pendell , Merstham , & c , to the summit of Reigate-hill , where a halt was called for a proper enjoyment of the magnificent view there obtained .

Return to Laker ' s was made in time for ablutions , pick-me-ups , & c , preparatory to the more serious portion of the day ' s proceedings , viz ., a most recherche little banquet , served in the style for which the house is famous .

Due justice was most certainly done to the good things provided , and prior to the cloth being removed , the following toasts were submitted from the chair : " The Queen and the Craft" and " The Ladies and Visitors , " The latter was responded to by Bro . T . H . ROBERTS , W . M . 1362 J who , on the part of his own lodge , gave the Skelmersdale a hearty greeting .

The toast of "The W . M . " was given by Bro . HORN , I . P . M ., who congratulated him upon the complete success of the outing . The W . M . stated , in reply , that there could be no doubt that everybody had thoroughly enjoyed themselves .

Bro . HARRIS , P . M ., Treasurer , said there had been a committee appointed to organise and carry out the day ' s arrangements , but one brother had really done the lot , and that was Bro . Geo . Laker , the senior P . M . and Secretary . He begged to propose " His jolly good health and hearty thanks for all he had done . "

Bro . GEO . LAKER briefly acknowledged the compliments , and assured the ladies and brethren that in their enjoyment he was amply recompensed for the time and trouble he had taken in the matter . An adjournment was made to the garden for a cigarette , fresh air , and general chat , and on returning to the dining room a capital entertainment of music , singing , & c , was carried out , towards which Mrs . Mokler , Bro .

Harris , Hall , and Mokler were chief contributors , Mr . F . E . Blair kindly and efficiently acting as accompanist . Time for preparation for departure came all too quickly , "Auld Lang Syne" was heartily indulged in , but , before quitting the house , everybody felt there was something yet to do and that was to thank the worthy host ( Bro . W . A . Laker , P . M . 1632 ) , not only

for his splendid catering but also for his personal kindness and attention , consequently the farewell greetings were hearty and enthusiastic , and his hand must have ached for days afterwards . Through the kind instrumentality of Mr . G . Swan , the esteemed Station Superintendent , a saloon carriage was provided for the company , and a very comfortable return journey completed a real jolly " Ladies' Outing . "

Preservation Of Historic Records.

PRESERVATION OF HISTORIC RECORDS .

The great value now placed on any thing connected with the early history of Masonry , ought to be an admonition to those in possession of valuable data , to see to it that the " lapse of time , the ruthless hand of ignorance or the devastation of war , " do not destroy that which in justice to civilisation we ought to transmit unimpared to future generations . It may be said that we have enough to do to seek our own happiness , and that it is useless to

worry about what coming generations may think we ought to have furnished for their satisfaction or benefit , but as men having the vast interests of those we bring into existence at heart , we have no right to ignore their claim on us for anything which we can by industry and intelligent care transmit to them . A man who would launch a mighty ship on the broad Atlantic to float without chart or compass , thereby becoming a menacing derelict to the

commerce of the world , would be deemed worthy of a place in an insane asylum . The man who brings into the world the most perfect thing in naturea living , breathing , thinking machine , has no right to abandon it , but is bound by the strongest of ties to equip it with all tne latest improved appliances by which it may accomplish its mission in the world . We do owe something to posterity , and let us not be backward in contributing to the little pleasures that help to make human life something more than a wild , selfish struggle

to gam a supposed advantage over our fellow beings . We find a little time to-day , and will find a little time to-morrow , hanging heavily on our hands ; let us remember the decrepid old mother , whose wealth of love has made many green spots where only barren rocks would have greeted us had not God blessed the world with her presence ; let us devote much time to the tiny mite of a baby who never doubts our ability to do anything , and if we do our duty , leans upon the staff which we put in his hand long after the las ; prayer has been said over our inanimate clay , —Square and Compass ,