Provincial Grand Lodge Of Hampshire And The Isle Of Wight,

obtained ; and the 3000 Masons in the province would vote with far greater power if their votes , instead of being split up , were all concentrated in the hands of the Committee . ( Applause . ) The Prov . Grand Treasurer ' s accounts were passed , and showed a

balance of £ 378 14 s . iod . ; the expenditure included 25 guineas to each of the three Masonic Charities , and 50 guineas to the Provincial Charity Association ; a Southampton Harbour Board Bond of ^ 100 had been paid off during the year , and that amount , with ^ 700 invested , represented the capital funds of the Provincial Grand Lodge .

At the suggestion of the P . G . M ., Bro . ROBERTSON proposed , and it was carried , that £ 100 should be re-invested . Bro . R . J . Rastrick , 1069 , was unanimously re-elected Prov . Grand Treasurer , and the P . G . M . expressed how much the province was indebted to Bro . Rastrick for the valuable services he had rendered in managing the province .

Bro . RASTRICK suitably responded . Bro . G . F . LANCASTER , P . P . G . J . D ., proposed , as an addition to Rule XL . of the Prov . Grand Lodge Bye-laws , which provides for an annual contribution of 25 guineas to each of the Masonic Charities , that " a donation of 25 guineas should also be given yearly to the Hampshire and Isle of

Wight Masonic Educational and Benevolent Institution . " He said that the sum of ^ 400 had already been received in aid of that Institution , and a further sum of £ 100 promised . The Institution was calculated to be of great permanent advantage , and he suggested that the brethren of the province might materially aid it by an annual subscription , say of 5 s . each . After some discussion taking place ,

Bro . LANCASTER , in response , replied that such a resolution being carried would not affect prejudicially the support rendered to the Masonic Charities ; he had refrained hitherto from making any individual appeal to the brethren , but intended to do so forthwith . The resolution was put and carried with applause .

Bro . G . F . LANCASTER then announced that Bro . Lieut . J . Knowles , R . M ., W . M . 1903 , had given a cheque for 50 guineas to the Hampshire Benevolent Institution ,, being a moiety of 100 guineas generously contributed by him , the other half of which would go the Masonic Charities . ( Applause . )

On the motion of Bro . WYATT , the sum of £ 20 was voted to the widow and family of the late Bro . Robert Reed , the circumstances of whose case were fully explained . Bro . ROBERTSON then brought forward the desirability of increasing the subscriptions to the Masonic Charities ; and pointed out that as the balance

in hand had increased £ 85 during the year , and , besides the £ 800 invested capital , now stood at £ 278 , the Provincial Grand Lodge was well able to aid the Charities to a larger extent without any prejudice to its own funds . He therefore proposed that an increase of 15 guineas be made in the subscriptions to each of the Masonic Charities—the Benevolent Institution , the Boys' School , and the Girls' School—raising the amount in each case to 40

guineas a year . _ Bro . LANCASTER said he would second this if it also included the Hampshire Institution , to which Bro . ROBERTSON assented . Bro . M . EMANUEL objected to the motion , as it meant the giving away of the whole of their excess of income on the year . The P . G . M . suggested that , having regard to the vote just made , the increase should be 10 guineas in each case .

The D . P . G . M . having explained that they could very well" afford to make the larger grants , it was unanimously resolved to increase the amount by 10 guineas to each of the four Charitable Institutions named . The P . G . M . then appointed and invested the following brethren as Provincial Grand Officers for the ensuing year : —

Bro . J . E . Le Feuvre , J . P ., 130 ... ... D . Prov . G . M . „ G . Dunlop , 130 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . W . „ Lord John Taylour , 6 98 ... ... ... Prov . G . J . W . „ Rev . R . S . Wood , 151 ... ... ... Prov . G . Chap .

„ Rev . J . A . Alloway , 551 ... ... ... Prov . G . Chap . „ G . Felton Lancaster , 903 ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ R . J . Rastrick , 106 9 ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . .. E . Goble . ion ... ... Prrnr C So ,.

,. H . E . Loader , 487 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . D . „ H . Lashmore , 394 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . D . „ J . Brickwood , 342 ... ... ... Prov . G . J . D . „ J . Lowe , 175 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . T . D .

„ J . Gibson , 694 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . of W . „ Francis Powell , 2153 •••¦••... Prov . G . D . C „ H . P . Arthur , 359 ... ... ... Prov . G . D . D . C . „ J . Bailey , 1884 ... ... ... Prov . G . A . D . C . „ W . J . Rix , 1331 ... ... ... Prov . G . Swd . Br .

„ w . i < arrance , 132 ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br . ,, H . Kimber , 804 •... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br . 1 , J . Jackson , 1428 ... ... ... Prov . G . Purst . ,, I . T . Burchett . 1883 ... ... ... Prov . G . A . Pursi .

„ Pigeon , 186 9 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ S . Clarke , 130 ... ... ... "J ,. J . C . Burbage , 319 ,, Fred . Sanders , 342 ... ... ... <¦ Prov . G . Stwds . ,. T . Palmer . 2068

» D . G . Gilmour , 309 » J . Exell ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler . » , R . Eames ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler .

The R . W . P . G . M . said a very pleasing duty now devolved upon him . They all knew how long and faithfully their present D . P . G . M . ( Bro . Le Feuvre ) served that province in the office of Prov . Grand Secretary . He acted for very many years in that capacity . He then for a short time retired ; but instantly , in the most patriotic way , took the office again and discharged its duties in the most exemplary manner . They could hardl

y understand how important were the duties of the P . G . S . in a large province like that . When Bro . Le Feuvre first took office it was not so large , though it was considerable then ; and the duties generally , the correspondence , and Tu ^ P ^ sibilities devolving upon the P . G . S . were by no means light . I hey ought to be grateful to anyone who discharged such duties : but Bro .

Leuvre gave during the time he held the office the most praiseworthy and careful attention to all the business that came before him . He acquainted himself with the position of all the lodges , ' and ingratiated himself very rnuch into the goodwill of every brother in the province . ( Hear , hear ) , when he retired from the office there was a general desire to make some slight recognition of his services . It could not be supposed for a moment

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Hampshire And The Isle Of Wight,

that anything they could give him would be an adequate recognition of his services ; but at the same time it would be a proof of the esteem and regard entertained towards him by the brethren with whom he had been associated so many years . Some delay had occurred in making the presentation , and it was thought that the Prov . Grand Lodge meeting afforded the best opportunity of doing so . As Prov . Grand Master he was very glad indeed

to be their spokesman on that occasion—to say how pleased he was to be the medium of offering this present to Bro . Le F ' euvre , and asking his acceptance of it . Although but a small recognition of his services it was nevertheless an evidence of the high regard and esteem in which he was held by every brother in the province . The present before

him was a silver tea service , but that did not embrace the whole amount collected—^ 113 Ss . t ) d . —and the remainder would be at Bro . Le Feuvre's disposal . He would now ask him , on behalf of the brethren of the province , to accept the presentation , assured that he would look upon it as an expression of their appreciation , and of the high regard in which he was held , ( Applause . )

the presentation consisted ot a very handsome silver tea service ( purchased in London ) of a very chaste design , and enclosed in an oak case , together with a cheque for £ 50 . W . Bro . J . E . LE FEUVRE , D . P . G . M ., who was enthusiastically applauded , said that , although he had heard something of this gratifying mark of their approbation being in the air , he had no direct intimation that

the Provincial Grand Master was going to be kind enough to transfer their very handsome testimonial to him on that occasion . Therefore he had had no opportunity of considering what it would be desirable for him to say . But he thanked them beyond anything that words could express , and assured them that he appreciated most fully their kindly recognition of the work he had done . If imperfect—as all work to a certain extent must

beit had at least been rendered to the province , for the benefit cf Masonrv , to the best of his ability , and with a sincerely loving heart . ( Hear , hear . ) Some years had now elapsed since he first took UD the Secretarial work in the province ; and it was with the greatest , satisfaction that he had been enabled to transfer it , largely increased in volume , to a successor who was able to carry it out , not only as well , but much belter than he had done .

He thanked them very sincerely indeed for their kindly expressed approval of his work as embodied in the presentation . The Provincial Grand Master had shown them the silver service which they had so considerately presented to him ; but he had not mentioned the greater part of the < nft which he ( Bro . Le Feuvre ) valued more that the intrinsic objects belore them . By their kindness and generosity he had been placed in a position

of being able to hand over a cheque for ^ ' 50 to the Provincial Charitable Association ; and he had very great pleasure in doing so . ( Applause . ) It was with very sincere satisfaction and thanks that he accepted their kind gift ; and his satisfaction was enhanced by the fact that a great portion of it would be through him transferred to the Provincial Charitable Association , in which the amount would be fully requited , and where it would be used for

the beneficent purposes af Charity . Upon this he assured them he set as high a value as upon the silver service which the Provincial Grand Master had presented to him . ( Applause . ) He begged them to accept the assurance of his sincere gratitude for their kindness on that and all occasions , which would only be an incentive to him to do more for the good of Masonry in the province . ( Applause . ) Bro . G . FELTON LANCASTER , in accepting the cheque on behalf of the

Provincial Charitable Association , thanked the D . P . G . M ., and remarked that he was already a subscriber of 20 guineas to the fund . ( Applause . ) Nothing further offering for the good of Masonry , or for the province in particular , the Provincial Grand Lodge was closed in due form . About 100 brethren then adjourned to the Victoria Rooms , and sat down to a good banquet , well catered for by Bro . Dartnell . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured .

Bro . BINCK . ES responded on behalf of "The Masonic Charities ; " Bro . ROEBUCK , G . Std . Br . England , responded for "The Grand Officers ;" and Bros . S . CLARKE , W . M . 130 , and J . BRICKWOOD , W . M . 2074 , replied on behalf of "The Visitors . "

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Staffordshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF STAFFORDSHIRE .

The annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Staffordshire was held in the Shire Hall , Stafford , on Thursday , 19 th inst ., when there was a good attendance of brethren . There were present Bros . Col . G . S . Tudor , P . G . M ., Col . Foster Gough , D . P . G . M ., and the following Provincial Grand Officers : Bros . Dr . J . Clarke , S . W . ; E . T . Cavendish , J . W ..

Rev . T . Lloyd , S . Chaplain ; Rev . George Tuthill , J . Chaplain ; J . Bodenham , Treas . ; W . Cartwright , Sec . ; E . H . Croydon , Asst . Sec . ; W . T . Aggutter , S . D . ; T . E . Fowke , D . C . ; John Deeley , A . D . C . ; William Mould , S . B . ; G . W . Walker , A . S . B . ; J . Mottram , Asst . Purst . ; and H . Bagguley , Tyler ; and

Bros . Frank James , P . P . D . G . M . ; Henry Lewis , 326 , P . P . G . S . W . ; T . Taylor , 41 R P . P . G . S . W . ; W . Hales , 41 S , P . P . G . S . W . ; J . B . Piercy , 41 S , P . P . G . S . W . ; C Trigg , 1039 , P . P . G . S . W . ; W . Bayliss , 539 , P . P . G . S . W . ; E . Hooper , 1060 , P . P . G . J . W . ; G . M . Waring , 347 , P . P . G . J . W . ; M . Barker , 1792 , P . P . G . J . W . ; Rev . 1 . Frame Wilkinson , P . G . Chap . Suffolk ; Rev . E . C . Perry , 72 G , P . P . G . Chap . ; T . Turner , 4 G 0 , P . P . G . R . ; J . Webberley , 54 6 , P . P . G . R . ; J . Jacobs , 4 S 2 , P . P . G . R . j F . Tomkinson , 45 r , P . P . G . S . D . ; J . Fowley , 1039 , P . P . G . S . D . ; E . Roberts , G 17

P . P . G . J . D . ; J . Ingamells , 460 , P . P . U . J . U . ; H . Ulver , 10 6 0 , P . P . G . J . D . ; T . j . Barnett , 526 , ' P . P . G . Supt . of Works ; T . Mount Humphries , 539 , P . P . G . Sunt , of Works ; R . Dain , 98 , P . P . G . A . D . C . ; J . F . Pepper , 482 , P . P . G . A . D . C . ; W . Ormson . 1941 , P . P . G . S . W . ; E . H . Thorne , 1 S 38 , P . P . G . S . B . ; F . Weston , 9 S , P . P . G . S . B •W . Vernon , 45 6 . P . P . G . S . B . ; J . Warner , 2149 , P . P . G . P . ; F . J . l ' urley , 179 S , P . p . G . P . ; S . Parkes , W . M . 419 ; W . Torrance , W . M . 456 ; Henry J . Clarson , W . M roGo ; F . Barlow , W . M . 546 ; G . Woolf , W . M . 99 ; J . Bromley , P . M . 41 S , W . M . 2 uo : E . B . lackson , W . M . 41 S ; R . T . Vertegans , W . M . 1792 ; ] . Stevenson .

W . M . 1942 ; J . Wootdridge , W . M . 726 ; G . Ashmall , W . M . 1030 ; J . L . Hamshaw . P . M . 418 ; T . B . Cull , P . M . 15 S 7 ; D . Chapman , P . M . 546 ; U . H . Brough , P . M ! 54 G ; G . C . Kent , P . M . 546 ; J . Davenport , P . M . 451 ; J . R . Lee , P . M . 1702 ; r . \ Woolley , P . M . 72 G ; H . Uostock , P . M . 1 . 5 S 7 ; J . H . Smith , P . M . 539 ; J . T . Kay res , P . M . CG 2 ; L . Hartland , P . M . 662 ; E . S . Hildick , P . M . 530 ; C Jones , P . M . 1060 •R . A . Simcock , P . M . 419 ; G . H . Stanger , P . M . 4 igj J . B . Morgan , P . M . 1 S 3 S ; Henry Hare , P . M . 10 G 0 ; J . J . Perkins , P . M . 1039 ; and other brethren , numbering altogether upwards of 130 .

The Staffordshire Knot Lodge , No . 726 , having been opened by Bro , Wooldridge , W . M ., the P . G . M . and D . P . G . M ., accompanied b y the P . G . Officers , Present and Past , in procession , entered the lodge , and the chair