Provincial Grand Lodge Of Durham.

stone of their new hall there . At the ceremony he caught a very severe cold , and . vas obliged to go abroad . During his absence , the Provincial Grand Secretary ( Bro . R- Hudson ) was left in charge , and under his able guidance everything had been going on all right . He ( Sir Hedworth ) came back to England in due course , ind one of the first things he did was to attend the ceremony of installing his brethren of the Williamson Lodge in their new habitation—a convenient , excellent

lodge room . There had been no new lodges formed , but two lodges had got into their own premises during the year—the Williamson Lodge , at Monkwearmouth , and the Crook Lodge . He found they were keeping up their numbers , in spite of deaths and resignations . Their numbers in 1886 were 2127 ; in 188 7 , 2188 ; and in , gS 8 2181 . He congratulated his province on having had , though not a very

eventful year , yet a year of steady prosperity , and if they could only continue such years as that , he hoped to be able to congratulate Grand Lodge on his being able to rule over a contented , happy , and prosperous province . Bro . R . W . Halfnight , P . M . Williamson Lodge , was elected Provincial Grand Treasurer ; and Bros . J . Sedcole , P . M . 1119 , and W . A . Priestly , W . M . 2039 , were elected Auditors for the ensuing year .

The Prov . Grand Master then proceeded to invest the following officers for the ensuing year :

Bro . Canon Tristram , 124 ... ... ... Prov . D . G . M . J . G . Wilson , 37 S ... ... ... ... Prov . S . G . W . ' J . M . While , 1379 ••• ••• ••• Prov . J . G . W . Rev . Harry Becher , 2030 ... ... •••) n _ ~ _ - _ " Rev . H . Jennings , 1230 j Prov . G . Chaps . \ R . W . Halfnight , 949 ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . . _ G . W . Bain , 949 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg . .. R . Hudson , P . G . Std . Br . Eng . ( re-appointed ) ... Prov . G . Sec . G . Renton , 21 35 ... ... ... ... ] p „ „ _ , M . Harrison , 531 ... ... ... j Prov . b . G . D . s „ H . H . Pinkney , 1389 ... ... •¦• ID Irnl " H . B . Olsen , 764 j Prov . J . G . D . ' s _ , CM . Wake , 97 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . S . of W „ W . Logan , 124 , 2135 ( re-appointed ) ... ... Prov . G . D . C . ,, M . J . Wheatley , 1970 ... ... ... Prov . D . G . D . C . „ T . Atkinson , 80 ... ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . ,, R . Hauxwell , 1334 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B . „ T . Robinson , 1650 ... ... ... —1 -a r ~ ^ A . E . Cowling , 240 » j Prov . G . Std . Brs . „ J . E . R . Hurworth , 7 64 ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ J . Robson Pattison , 97 ( re-appointed ) ... ... Prov . A . G . Sec . „ John Todd , 1374 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Purst . „ W . Dawson , 94 ... ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Purst „ G . Craven , 94 ... ... ... ... " „ W . Hodge , 764 ;; j / iSX ^ o ::: ::: ::: ::: P -. . stwds . „ J . Chisholm , 1643 ... „ A . M . White , 1862 ... „ B . R . Smith , 940 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler . Prov . G . Lodge was afterwards closed .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of West Lancashire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF WEST LANCASHIRE .

The brethren of the lodges of West Lancashire assembled on Wednesday , the 18 th inst , at Barrow , where , in the fine drill hall , the annual Prov . Grand Lod ge meeting was held , under the presidency of the Right Hon . the Earl of Lathom , Deputy Grand Master England , Prov . G . M . Every lodge in the province , with the exception of the Harmonic Lodge , No . 216 , was

represented , and there was consequently a large attendance . A considerable proportion of the brethren had travelled from Liverpool and the district , special trains being run both by the London and North-Western and Lancashire Railway Companies . The proceedings in Barrow were under the auspices of the local lodges , the Hartington , No . 1021 , and the Hindpool , No . 1225 , and it must needs be said that the arrangements of the Committee appointed by these lodges were made in a

most complete and satisfactory manner . Punctuall y at one o ' clock Provincial Grand Lodge was opened , the Provincial Grand Master , together with the Provincial Grand Officers , Present and Past—of whom there was a very numerous gathering—entering the hall in procession , and taking their seats upon a spacious platform . The appearance of the gaily

decorated hall was particularly animated , and , large though the attendance was , there is little doubt that , but for the fact that the Provincial Grand Lodge of Cheshire being held the previous day , many more Masons would have availed themselves of the opportunity—especiall y on so fine a day—of being present at so important a ceremonial , and at the same time of visiting Barrow .

The Earl of Lathom was supported on the platform by Bros . J . P . M'Arthur , P . P . S . G . W . ; John Hayes , P . P . G . S . B . ; W . Hiram Wathfield , P . P . G . P . ; Wm . Webster , P . G . S . ; T . Forrester , P . P . G . D ., P . G . Std . Br . Eng . ; T . Salter , P . P . J . G . D . ; W . Jones , P . P . G . D . ; Rev . J . S . Gardner , P . G . Chap . ; H . Volmer , P . P . S . G . D . T . F . Hill , P . G . S . B . ; J . B . M'Kenzie , P . P . S . G . D . ; J . M . Hartley , P -G . R . ; A . Cross , P . S . G . D . ; A . J . Henochsberg , P . P . G . D . C ; R . C Yelland ,

P-G . Std . Br . ; J . Piatt , P . P . G . D . ; E . Pierpoint , P . P . J . G . W . ; T . Adams , '• G . S . ; R . Wylie , P . P . G . W ., P . G . D . Eng . ; J . Wells , P . P . G . D . C . ; W . Major , P -G . D . C ; W . Goodacre , P . G . Sec , P . G . S . B . Eng . ; J . P . Bryan , P . P . G . O . ; J . M- Manning , P . P . G . D . ; J . Slyman , P . S . G . D . ; J . Ganes , P . P . G . P . ; W . J . A . Baldwin , P . P . S . G . W . ; A . D . Hesketh , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; S . Rowbottom , [ -U . G . W . ; Dr . [ . Kellett SmithP . P . G . R . ; Dr . W . Y . MartinP . J . G . D . J .

, , ; J-Ramsay , P . A . G . P . ; T . H . W . Walker , P . G . Treas . ; W . Whiteside , P . P . G . S . B . ; J- Mossop , P . P . G . P . ; Rev . H . Bethell Jones , P . P . G . C . ; W . Troughton , P . P . G . ffW . ; A . H . Gee , P . P . A . G . D . C ; S . D . Mackillen , P . P . D . G . D . C ; D . Jjickson , P . p . G . Std . Br . ; J . T . Callow , P . P . G . Treas . ; P . B . Gee , P . P . G . D I J ° - Queen , P . G . S . ; G . Cornfield , P . P . G . Standard Bearer ;

£ Ball , Prov . G . Tyler ; W . H . i Ball , Prov . Assistant G . T yler ; H . Bagot , P . P . G . S . of W .: J . C . Robinson , P . G . S . ; J . Williams , P . P . G . D . ; C . f Kichards , P . P . G . D . ; F . H . Clark , P . A . G . D . C ; E . Johnston , P . P . G . D . ; Jos . iurnbull , P . G . Stwd .: J . Lace , P . P . S . G . D . ; R . Williams , P . P . G . S . B . ; Robt . oowker , P . p . G . Std . Br . ; T . Nevitt , P . P . G . S . of W . ; Rev . H . G . Vernon , ' ^ Chap . ; J . H . Bradshaw , P . P . G . S . of W . ; D . M . F . Gaskin , P . P . G . , p — * "i « r J * **• uiauaiitiw , r . r . ^ . O . vv . ; u . m . _____•„ ueiaiuu , r , r . \ j . t

reas . j W . Hughes , P . P . G . D . C . ; R . W . Worrall , P . P . G . S . B . Cheshire ; J . W . narrow , P . P . G . D . ; H . James P . J . G . D . ; T . Buxton , P . P . G . R . ; G . Broadbridge , p ' lp ; -C- T Milligan , P . P . J . G . D . ; L . R . Ayre , P . P . S . G . W . ; E . Segar , PPA ' O' c -Bargery , P . P . S . G . D . ; T . Windebank , P . A . G . P . ; W . C . Erwin , A ' , ' ?' G- Sec . ; Geo . Morgan , P . P . G . D . ; John Little , P . P . G . D . C ; Richard "' llltage , P . A . G . Spr-. W S Vine ? PPf . nr W H VnncrJian PPCH

^ Lancashire ; H Cook , P . P . S . G . W . Cumberland and Westmoreland ; W . CW \' 'GS- of W . ; Charles Fryer , P . P . S . G . W . ; G . M'Kay , P . P . S . G . W . j moerland and Westmoreland ; R . Nelson , P . G . T . Cumberland and Westmore" y and Jno . Wray , P . P . G . S . B . -p ? j _^ business having been duly transacted , fr om W l ° - ' ^ ' Treas - > Bro- T- H- W- WALKER , read a statement of his accounts , which it appeared that the sum of £ 160 9 s . 4 d . had been paid to the Charity

Provincial Grand Lodge Of West Lancashire.

Fund , £ 242 2 s . 1 id . to the Provincial Grand Lodge Fund , and £ 868 18 s . ud . to the Fund of Benevolence , making a total amount contributed by the lodges of £ 1271 us . 3 d . Bro . W . GOODACRE , Prov . G . Sec , then proceeded to read his annual report . The past year had , he stated , been pre-eminently a year of progress . There had been a large increase in the number of initiates and members , while six new lodges had

been consecrated and opened . There had been 619 initiates during the past year , as compared with 554 in the previous year , and the subscribing members had increased from 5751 in 1888 to 6096 this year . The lodges consecrated during the year were—Peace Lodge , No . 226 9 , Wigan ; Fairfield Lodge , No . 228 9 , Fairfield ; Blundellsands Lodge , No . 2290 , Great Crosby ; Wavertree Lodge , No . 2294 , Wavertree ; Scarisbrick Lodge , No . 2295 , Southport ; and Princes Lodge , No .

2316 , Liverpool . Warrants had also been granted for three other lodges to meet at Harwich , Southport , and Wigan . The Benevolence and Charity Committee had voted £ 108 in aid of four widows and five distressed brethren . Two girls and one widow had been elected on the foundation of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls and the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , and the Committee had promised the support of the province to three candidates for election on the

foundation of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys . Thirty-six dispensations had been granted by lodges during the year . While the year had been distinguished by great progress , its history had not been an unclouded one , for it had pleased the Almighty to call to his rest at an early age one near and dear to the Prov . G . M ., and he was sure that the action taken by the present Provincial Grand Officers , in addressing a letter expressive of their sympathy to his lordship , would be endorsed

by every brother present . The province had further to mourn the loss of three brethren of distinction who had died since the last meeting . They were Bro . Albert Crossley , who had bequeathed 2000 guineas to the Masonic Charities ; Bro . Richard Brown , P . Prov . G . T . ; and Bro . W . Shuttleworth , Prov . S . G . W ., who died suddenly on the 14 th inst ., and round whose grave many Masons assembled to pay a tribute of respect to departed merit .

The Earl of LATHOM , P . G . M ., expressed his thanks to the Provincial Grand Officers for their touching address , remarking that it touched him very much to receive such sympathy from those whom he loved—his brethren . He referred to the loss which Freemasons had sustained in the deaths of three members whom they had all known so intimately . He might say that Bro . Brown was a Mason for whom he had very high respect in the old days , and he was one who did very good Masonic work , especially for Charity . Their late Senior Grand Warden , who was

called away so suddenly , was also a staunch Mason , as was evidenced by the fact that during his year of office he had managed to visit nearly every lodge in the Province of West Lancashire . He hoped that the Provincial Grand Lodge would pass a sincere vote of condolence with the relatives of the late Bro . Shuttleworth . Concluding , his lordship said that he was thankful that the province continued to go on so well , that its members were increasing , and that harmony reigned now , as he hoped it always would do . The vote of condolence having been unanimously agreed upon ,

Bro . R . WYLIE proposed , and Bro . Rev . T . B . SPENCER seconded , that Bro . J . R . Jolly be appointed as Prov . Grand Treasurer for the ensuing year . The former remarked that no Mason was better adapted for the office , and no Mason better deserved the honour . The Earl of Lathom next proceeded to the appointment and investiture of his officers as follows :

Bro . E . H . Cookson ( Mayor of Liverpool ) ... ... Prov . S . G . W . „ Dr . W . B . Richardson ... ... ... Prov . J . G . W . „ Rev . J . Kirby Turner ... ... ... Prov . G . Chap . „ J . R . Jolly ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ T . Clarke ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ W . Goodacre ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Sec . „ T . Adams ... ... ... •••) D c n r » ' " W . Webster j Prov . S . G . D ' s . „ R . Walker ... ... ... ... ") „ T „ „ .. " G . S . Willings - j Prov . J . G . D ' s , „ J . Brindle ... ... ... ... Prov . G . S . of W . „ E . George ... ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ Dr . J . N . Patterson ... ... ... ... Prov . D . G . D . C . „ J . C Robinson , P . M . 249 , 2294 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C „ J . Queen ... ... ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B . ;; j : ? Sun ::: ::: ::: ;;;} prov . G . std . B « . „ J . Cantor ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ R . Betley ... ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Sec . „ P . Yates ... ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Purst . ' „ T . Westwood ... ... ... ... - Prov . A . G . Purst . „ J . E . Boden ... ... ... ... " „ H . Kidson ;; ] : chadSton ::: ::: ::: ::: p-. o . stwds . „ G . Nelson „ W . Turvey „ P . Ball ... ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler . Bros . A . Shirley , A . J . Henochsberg , E . Segar , J . de Bels Adam , S . Locke , T .

Banner Newton , T . Whitehead , and J . Brindle were presented with Charity jewels . Bro . R . WYLIE , P . G . D ., proposed that the sum of 25 guineas be voted from the Charity Fund to the West Lancashire Alpass Benevolent Institution ; and that the sum of 25 guineas be given to the West Lancashire Homer Benevolent Fund . This was agreed to , as was also a motion b y Bro . G . BROADBRIDGE , P . P . G . D . C , that the sum of 50 guineas be voted from the Charity Fund to the West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution .

Bro . J . H . TYSON , P . M . 1182 , then gave notice of motion to the effect that a printed copy of the audited accounts be in future sent to the W . M . of each lodge seven days before each annual meeting ; "That the accounts of the Provincial Grand Lodge having , for a number of years , been made up in a manner not in accordance with the by-laws , by reason of various sums being wrongly charged to

the Fund of Benevolence , the accounts in future to be kept in accordance with the by-laws , so as to show the true position of each fund , and that a Committee be appointed to take into consideration forthwith the financial position , and to report as to what may be necessary in order to reduce the expenditure , and to keep the expenditure of the Provincial Grand Lodge within the limits of its income . " Duscussion . having been taken part in ,

The Earl of LATHOM , P . G . M ., said that by virtue of the authority invested in him he would give orders that in future the statement of accounts as audited be sent to each lodge , together with the notice convening the meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge . The business of Provincial Grand Lodge was concluded after thanks had been tendered to the executors of the late Bro . Albert Crossley , who had paid 1100 guineas to the three Masonic Charities of West Lancashire out of a sum of 2000 guineas which had been bequeathed by him for the benefit of Masonic Charities ,

Subsequently the Provincial Grand Chapter met at the Albert Hall , under the presidency of Comp . Lord Lathom , G . Supt ., and the subjoined appointments were made : Comps . the Earl of Crawford , Prov . G . H . ; S . G . Sinclair , Prov . G . J . ; W . Goodacre , Prov . S . E . ; Rev . H . G . Vernon , Prov . S . N . ; T . H . W . Walker , Prov . G . Treas . ; H . Cook , Prov . G . R . ; H . M . Ormsby , Prov . G . P . S . ;