Provincial Grand Lodge Of Staffordshire.

and the event excited unusual local interest , as was evidenced by the crowd which assembled to witness the procession from the Town Hall to Christ Church , and the large congregation which filled the building . The proceedings of the day began with the opening of the Dartmouth Lodge , No . 662 , at noon , by the W . M ., Bro . T . Spencer . Shortly afterwards the R . VV . the Provincial Grand Master , Bro . Col . G . S . Tudor , and hi- ' officers entered the lodge , which on this special occasion vvas held in the Assembly Room of the Town Hall .

There were present , in addition to the P . G . M ., the D . P . G . M ., Bro . Col . Foster Gough , and the following Prov . Grand Officers : Bros . J . Bromley , P . S . G . W . ; T . J . Barnett , P . J . G . W . ; the Revs . G . Tuthill and F . E . Waters , P . G . Chaplains : J . Bodenham , P . G . Treas . ; E . H . Croydon , acting P . G . Sec ; J . B . Morgan , P . J . G . D . ; T . E . Fowke , P . G . D . C ; F . Woolley , P . A . G . D . C . ; H . Hartland , P . G . Org . ; F . Brandon , P . M . 418 ,

P . G . Reg . ; B . H . Brough , P . G . S . of W . j J . R . Lee and J . T . Snape , P . G . Standard Bearers ; R . A . Willcock and E . J . Mousley , P . G . Stwds . ; J . Perkins , P . A . G . P . ; and J . J . Tomlinson , P . A . G . Tyler . There were also present—Bros . J . Webberley , P . M . 54 < 5 , P . P . G . R . ; Edwin Roberts , P . M . 677 , 1942 , P . P . J . G . D . ; J . Beaumont Piercy , P . M . 418 , 2149 , P . P . S . G . W . ; A . J . Prince , 546 , P . P . J .

GD . ; E . Peake , W . M . 1942 ; W . H . Hales , P . M . 4 x 8 , P . P . S . G . W . ; T . Turner , P . ' P . G . Reg . ; John Smith , W . M . 460 ; J . T . Eayrs , P . M . 662 ; E . T . Collins , W . M , 606 ; G . H . Stanger , P . M . 419 ; H . C . Owen , I . P . M . 526 ; J . Steen , P . M . 526 , P . P . GR . ; H . Lewis , P . M . 526 , P . P . S . G . W . ; ] . L . Hamshaw , P . M . 418 , 2149 , S . W ., and I . P . M . ; G . Dance , P . M . 662 ; E . H . Thorne , 526 and 1838 , P . P . G . S . B . ; T . H . Cope , P . M . 1520 ; J . Wentworth , W . M . 347 ; E . Piddock , P . M . 1792 , P . P . G . S . B .

F . E . F . Bailey , W . M . 539 ; the Rev . R . B . Storey , Chap . 696 ; G . F . Oldershavv , I P . M . 662 ; H . George , P . M . 8 S 4 , 1661 ; the Rev . Rev . F . H . Beaven , Chap . 726 ; Dr . E . W . Taylor , Org . 726 ; the Rev . T . Lloyd , Chap . 526 , P . P . G . P . ; C . Jones , P . M . 1060 ; H . J . Clarson , W . M . 1060 ; J . Jacobs , P . M . 4 S 2 , P . P . G . Reg . ; H . W . Rogers , W . M . 696 ; W . Vernon , P . M . 455 , 1587 , P . P . G . S . B . ; VV . W . Weston , W . M . low ; T . F . Pepper , P . M . 482 , P . P . A . G . D . C ; E . R . Kimpton , P . M . 4 S 2 ; M .

Barker , P . M . 1792 , P . P . J . G . W . ; T . M . Humphries , P . M . 539 , P . P . G . S . of W . ; J . Warrilow , W . M . 4 82 ; R . H . Rowbotham , P . M . 539 ; G . J . Payton , W . M . 4 S 2 ; G . C . Kent , P . M . 546 ; the Rev . W . Randall , P . M . 482 , P . P . G . S . ; W . B . Stocker , P . M . 493 , P . P . J . G . D . Gloucestershire ; S . Parker , P . M . 419 ; T . Spencer , W . M . 662 ; W . J . Whittall , P . M . 482 , P . P . G . R . ; T . Taylor , P . M . 2149 , 41 S , P . P . S . G . W . ; G . Barker , W . M . 226 ; J . H . Walton , P . M . 696 , P . P . G . P . ; D . Smith , P . M . 637 ; S . Clapp , P . M . 662 , P . P . G . Supt . of Wks . ; W . Mould , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B . ; and others .

Bro . Col . Tudor having taken the chair , and opened the lodge , the P . G . Master and D . P . G . Master were greeted Masonically , after which the minutes of the Provincial Grand Lodge held at Stafford last year were read , the P . G . Treasurer's accounts were submitted , and the roll of lodges called

over . The P . G . M . then announced the receipt of letters expressing regret that the writers were unable to be present , from Bro . F . James , P . D . P . G . M ., and many others . Having expressed his pleasure at seeing so many brethren present , Col . Tudor referred in terms of deep regret to the loss which the province had sustained by the death of Bro . Cartwright , who for a long

number of years faithfully carried out the duties of P . G . Secretary . Noticing the occurrence of the Jubilee , he said that Masonry had made wonderful progress during her Majesty ' s reign . When the Queen ascended the throne there were between 500 and 600 lodges on the roll of the Grand Lodge of England ; now there were 2200 . The P . G . M . then announced his appointment of Bro . Capt . E . H . Thorne as P . G . Secretary , and expressed

his full assurance that Capt . Thorne would be a worthy successor to the late Secretary , and that the province would have in him an officer of great ability . He was sorry that in consequence of the state of his health Bro . Fowke had felt himself compelled to resign the office of Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies . Bro . Fowke had performed a great deal of hard work in that office , and he ( Col . Tudor ) greatly regretted on that occasion

that he had not an opportunity of promoting him to some higher office , which he well deserved . Another old officer of the province , Bro . Bagguley , was also wishful to resign , but did not like to do so after so many years' service . Under the circumstances , he proposed for the present to leave the office vacant , and appoint an Assistant Tyler . Having expressed his grateful acknowledgments to Col . Gough for the great assistance which he received from him in ruling the province , Col . Tudor proceeded with the formal

appointment of his officers as follows : — Bro . J . F . Pepper ... .,, .,, ,,, Prov . S . G . W . „ E . H . Croydon ,,, ,.. ,,, Prov . J . G . W . „ J . Bodenham .,, .., .., ,.. Prov . G . Treas . „ Capt . E . H . Thorne ... ,,. ,,, Prov . G . Sec . „ G . C , Kent ,,. ... ,,. .,. Prov . A . G . Sec . „ The Rev . F . E . Waters ,., ... ... Prov . G . Chap . „ The Rev . F . H . Beaven ... ... ,,. Prov . G . Chap . „ W . G . Lowe ... ..: ... ... Prov . S . G . D .

„ D . bmith .., ... ... .,, Prov . J . G . D . „ T . Spencer .., ... ,.. ,,, Prov . G . Reg . „ W . Brown ... ... ,., ,., Prov . G . S . of W „ G . H . Stanger ... ... ,,, Prov . G . D . of C „ T . II . Cope ... .,. ... , „ Prov . A . G . D . C „ E . T . Collins ... ... ,,. ... Prov . G . Std . Br „ W . T . M'Lean ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Std . B „ T . H . Smith ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Swd . Br

,, Dr . Taylor ... ,,. ,,. ,., Prov . G . Org . „ W . Davenport ,,. ,.. ... Prov . G . Purst . „ J . Stringer ... ... ,,. ,,. Prov . A . G . Purst „ J . Williams , P . M . 539 ... ... ,,.- > „ E . S . Hildick , P . M . 539 ,,. „ . .., ( „ G . Dance , P . M . 662 ... ... ... [ Prov G Stwds - „ J . T . Eayrs , P . M . 662 ,,, , „ ,., ) » W . Twist ... ,,, ,,, ,., Prov . A . G . Tyler ,

The lod ge was adjourned and the members walked in procession to Christ Church . The prayers were said by the vicar , the Rev . C H . J OBERNS , M . A . ; the Rev . F . H . BEAVEN , vicar of St . Chad ' s , Stafford , ead

r the first lesson , and the Rev . G . TUTHILL the second lesson . An excellent practical sermon concluding with a few words of exhortation suitable to the occasion was preached by the Rev . F . E . WATERS . The amount of the collection was £ 11 3 s . 6 d . At the close of the service the members returned to the Town Hall and

resumed business . On the motion of Bro . Col . GOUGH , the sum of £ 5 was voted to Christ Church School ; £ 3 to the Vicar's Needy Fund ; and £ 4 . t ° . u ° n Sunday School , Hanley ; and a cordial vote of thanks was passed 10 the Rev . F . E . Waters for his admirable discourse . - ^ On the motion of Bro . the Rev . Dr . RANDALL , seconded b y Bro . VKBBERLEY , a vote of condolence vvas passed with the family of the late oro . Cartwright .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Staffordshire.

Some conversation took place vvith reference to the fund which is being raised to perpetuate the memory of Bro . Cartwright . It was stated that about 160 guineas had been subscribed . The matter was further referred to a Committee . The lodge having been closed , a banquet vvas afterwards served in fhe same room , and subsequently a toast list was gone through .

" The Queen and the Craft , " and " The Health of the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M . of England" were drunk with the greatest cordiality , as was ' also the toast of " The M . W . Pro Grand Master the Earl of Carnarvon , the R . W . Deputy Grand Master the Earl of Lathom , and the Officers of Grand Lodge , Past and Present , " with which was coupled the name of Bro .

Col . GOUGH , who responded . Referring to the recent candidature of Bro Godson , M . P ., for the Grand Treasurership , he spoke of the hearty reception vvhich Staffordshire brethren always received in Worcestershire , of which Bro . Godson is D . P . G . M ., and stated his intention of asking for the support of the Staffordshire brethren to Bro . Godson ' s candidature on a future occasion .

The Rev . Dr . RANDALL proposed " The Health of Bro . Col . Tudor , " remarking that the P . G . M . had been most careful in the performance of his Masonic duties , though his health had been such that most men would have excused themselves in similar circumstances . He expressed a fervent hope that Col . Tudoc ' s health would improve , and that he would be long spared to carry on those duties which he performed with so mucn satislaction to the province .

Bro . Col . 1 UDOR , in the course of his reply , expressed a hope for a large attendance of brethren from the province at the Jubilee Masonic gathering at the Albert Hall , London . The PROV . G . MASTER then proposed " The Health of Bro . Colonel Gough and Officers . " The DEP . PROV , G . MASTER and Bro . PEPPER responded .

" The Visitors " was proposed by Bro . CADDICK , and responded to by Bro . STOCKER .

Bro . LEWIS then proposed "The Masters of Lodges , " which vvas responded to by Bro . SPENCER . "The Masonic Chanties" was proposed Bro . BARNETT , vvho remarked that £ 700 had been subscribed in the province last year fur the Charities . " The Provincial Stewards " and the Tyler ' s tua- > t followed .

At intervals throughout the proceedings , me masterly performances of Bros . Dr . Taylor and Hartland on tne line organ , wnich trie hall possesses , gave genuine pleasure . The organ , which was a gut to the town by Mr . Brogden , formerl y member lor tne borough , is pernaps the finest concert instrument in Staffordshire .

Great Priory Of England And Wales.

GREAT PRIORY OF ENGLAND AND WALES .

The annual meeting of this priory was held at Cannon-street Hotel , E . G ., on Friday , the 13 th inst ., Sir Knight Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , the Great Sub-Prior , presided , and there were irom 80 to 90 meinoei ' s present . Among those who attended may be mentioned : — V . E . Sir Knights Lapc . N . G . Philips , Rev . E . Moure , Capt . Beswicke-Royds , and C . J . Banister , Provincial Priors ; and tne following officers : E . Sir Knighis Rev . H . K .

Cooper- - smith , Prelate ; Col . A . VV . Ada . r , acting nonstable ; ri . J , auarkj , Maishal ; Ralph Clutton , Treas . ; Raymond H . Ihiupp , Ktg . ; VV . linlUcr , " V . C . ; Col . G . Haldane , Sub-Marshal ; Rev . VV . C . Luki .-, Almo . ier and utiay . ; Major George Lambeit , Warden of Regalia ; Frederic Davison , Hcraid ; R . A . LUCK , Sid . dr . ( li . ) ; Capt . Grealey Hall , Aide de Camp ; Edward S . vain , Cnamoeilain ; rienry Lovegrove ,

Captain ot Guaids ; W . H . Hodgkin , Swd . Br . ; and VV . Ganz , Org . Other pruminest members of tne Order present vvere Sir Knights Ur . Ralph Gojdmg , K . L . Loveland , George Cooper , Controller S . G . Bake , Lieut .-Col . bumcrvilie tSurney , Raphael Costa , the Hon . VV . 1 ' . Orde-Powlett , F . VV . Dnver , M . A ,, Dr . G . Mickley , fredcric ' VVood , Reginald Young , H . C . Heard , George Kenning , Cnaries belton , Lieuc .-Cul . W . Long , C . ¥ . Matier , C . J . Hampden , and others .

Alter the reading and confirmation of the minutes of the meeting of loth December last , the report of the council was taken as read . In tnis report were duly noted the installation on 7 th December last , ot V . E . Sir Knight A . F . Godson , M . P ., as Provincial Prior ol Worcestershire . The appointment ot V . E . Sir Knight R . I . Finnemore , as Provincial Prior of South Atrica , -vice the Hon . R . W . Hoskins Giddy , deceased ; the sudden

death of the Provincial Prior of Devonshire , sir Knight Lieut .-Col . J . Tanner Davy , on 19 th April last ; and the granting 01 two warrants lor new preceptories , one at Durban , Natal , called the Victoria Jubilee , and the other at Blackpool , named the Rose of Lancaster . Reference was made in the report to the subject of the formation of a Canadian Preceptory at Melbourne , and the resolution passed by the Great Priory at the December meeting strongly protesting against that act ,

and requesting that the warrant should be at once withdrawn by the Great Priory of Canada . In consequence of the special meeting summoned in Canada on 25 th February last , to consider the question , having been very thinly attended , through the inclemency of the weather , and it then being resolved that action on the matter should be deferred until the regular meeting of the Canadian Great Priory in July next , the Council , therefore , recommended Great Priory to let the matter remain in abeyance until the next meeting in December .

This recommendation vvas unanimously agreed to , the GREAT SUBPRIOR stating that he believed the question would be happily arranged . The other recommendations in the report were also agreed to , viz ., that a donation of 100 guineas be given to the Imperial Institute in commemoration of the Jubilee of the Queen , the Patron of the Order ; the reduction of

the minimum tee for the installation ol candidates from five guineas to three guineas , in the case of those preceptories desiring to avail tnemselves ot thc permission , and also the striking off the roll , and declaring the warrants to be forfeited , of all preceptories , shown in a list in the report as being seven years and upwards in arrear , unless the annual returns and payments were made by the 1 st of January , 1888 .

The following is the list of the officers appointed for the ensuing year . E . Sir Knight A . Staveley Hill , Q . C , M . P ., having resigned , through pressure of official and Parliamentary duties , the office of Chancellor held by him for some 10 years , a well-known and highly esteemed knight was appointed to succeed him . With one or two exceptions , all the knights appointed were present and were invested : —

Sir Knight The Rev . J . S . Brownrigg , M . A . .,, Prelate . „ F . A . Philbrick , Q . C . ... ... Chancellor . „ Sir George Elliot , Bart , M . P . ... Constable . „ Major-General R . S . Simmonds ,,, Marshal . „ Ralph Clutton ,,, ,,, Treasurer . „ Raymond H . Thrupp ... ,,, Registrar . „ W . Tinkler lt , ,,, ,,, Vice-Chancellors