Provincial Grand Lodge Of Durham.

Whitworth , 1032 , Spennymoor ; Hadrian , 1970 , South Shields . After hearing the reports from the respective Alasters in the province . . . . The PROV . G RAND MASTER ( the Marquis of Londonderry ) , addressing the Grand Lodge , said he could assure them that nothing but a high sense of his duty to the province and an anxious desire to meet the brethren , and to perform the duties appertaining to the ottice which

the Grand Master of Eng land had been kind enough to nvest him with , could have induced him to have been present , inasmuch as he had left the dying bed of a near relative of the Marchioness . The noble Marquis then expressed his sorrow at having to perform such a mournful duty as to have to allude to the sudden death , in March last , of a brother who for over a quarter of a century occupied the post of Provincial Grand Secretary , Bro . Grookes ,

who in that capacity had so faithfully served them , and whose services to Masonry were so widely known and appreciated . Upon his death , he was glad the Prov . D . of C , Bro . Robt . Hudson , had kindly come to the fore to carry on the duties which had heretofore devolved on Bro . Brookes , and he felt much indebted for the cordial assistance of Bro . Hudson , whom he was glad to know would continue in that office , assisted by Bro . T . Bradley , of

Stockton . He then referred to the progress of freemasonry in the province . From statistics which had been furnished to liim by Bro . Hudson , the P . G . S ., he Sound that in 1 S 4 S there were 13 lodges and 372 members ; in 1871 there were 19 lodges and 1529 members , whilst in 18 S 1 there were 27 lodges and 197 O members . ( Applause . ) Only two lodges had ceased to meet during thc period from 1 S 4 S to iSSi . butin the same towns as they had ceased

new lodges had been consecrated—( app lause)—and he had pleasure , in September last , in consecrating the Hadrian Lodge at South Shields , so that at present there were 28 lodges in the province . ( Loud applause . ) It was with very sincere regret that he found their late Treasurer , Bro . Cundill , desired to retire . In conclusion , he hoped they might be spared to meet another year , and that Masonry , and particularly in this province , mightlgo on increasing in prosperity . ( Loud applause . ) Bro . R . HUDSON , " P . G . Secretary , said it was interesting

to know that Bro . Cundill was present at the Grand Lodge at the installation of Bro . John Fawcett , late P . G . M ., and had been P . G . Treasurer since 1 S 5 S . Bro . E . D . DAVIS , P . P . G . J . W ., & c , moved that Bro . Babbington Boulton be P . G . Treasurer , which , on being seconded , was carried unanimously . On the motion of the R . W . Deputy Grand Master , Bro . Sir H . WILLIAMSON , the Secretary was instructed fo write to Bro . the Rev . J . Cundill expressing feelings of regret that he had retired from the Grand Lodge . The Prov . Grand Master then invested his officers for the

ensuing year as follows : Bro . Sir H . Williamson Prov . D . G . M . „ VV . J . Young Prov . G . S . W . „ C . It . Fry Prov . G . J . W . " S * £ ' if C ^ ° , ' i ]¦ Prov . G . Chaps . „ Rev . R . IT . Yeld ) „ S . Babington Boulton Prov . G . Treas .

„ R . Luck Prov . G . Keg . „ R . Hudson Prov . G . Sec . . T . Bradley Prov . G . A . Sec . „ ' T . Bell Prov . G . S . D . „ T . Coulson Prov . G . J . D . „ T . Tillman Prov . G . S . of VV . „ G . Greenwell Prov . G . D . C . „ D . Sinclair Prov . G . A . D . C . „ R . B . Harpley Prov . G . S . B .

„ G . Porteous Prov . G . Org . " i Vf i £ Prov . G . Pursts . „ G . D . Leng ) „ J . Curry Prov . G . Tyler . „ P . M . Martin ^ „ C . AIcNamara ;; w : Savist ::: ::: zv * " ^*** - „ W . Burn

„ W . H . Turner - " The investiture of the several officers was greeted with applause . Bro . Babington Boulton was appointed Prov . G . Treas ., in place of Bro . Rev . C . Cundhill .

On the motion of Bro . R . HUDSON * , seconded by Bro . MORELL , and supported by Bro . E . 0 . DAVIS , it was decided to place on record a testimony to the memory of the late Bro . Crookcs and his great services to the province . The lodge was then closed in due and solemn form . The brethren afterwards sat down to a sumptuous banquet , served at the Alechanics' Institute , by Air . Poston ,

landlord of the Trevelyan Hotel . The hall was splendidly adorned with a number of variegated flowering and other plants , kindly supplied by Mr . Theodore Fry , AI . P . Grace having been said by the Rev . Air . Jackson , of Darlington , the usual loyal and Alasonic toasts were proposed and enthusiastically responded to by the brethren present . Bro . E . D . DAVIS , who supported the Provincial Grand Alaster , proposed " The Health of the Alost Hon . the

Marquis of Londonderry , " and in doing so , said the toast needed no flattery nor eulogy at his hands . The name of Londonderry was sufficiently known throughout the kingdom to be always received as an emblem of nobility and power . ( Applause . ) The noble marquis was well known throughout the province as a promoter of industry , as a patron of the exertions of all who endeavoured to support themselves by honest labour . ( Applause . ) As the Prov .

Grand Alaster , thc noble marquis had ever shown himself desirous of promoting the prosperity of the Craft . ( Applause . ) And he was sure they all joined with him in wishing they might long have him as the chief of Fremasonry in Durham . ( Loud cheers . ) The toast was given with great enthusiasm . The PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER , in reply , said he could assure them he could not adequately express his sense of gratitude for the kind manner in which Bro . Davis had

proposed , and they had received , the toast of his health . This was the second year he had had the honour of being their Provincial Grand Alaster , and he felt it would be impossible for him , under any circumstances , to equal the exertions and the energy of his predecessor . Still , it had been his endeavour ever since his appointment to do his best to promote thc welfare of Alasonry in that province . ( Applause . ) During the past two years the Provincial Grand Lodge had been held in the southern part of the province—at Stockton and at Darlington ; and he hoped

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Durham.

if they were spared to another year that it was his intention to hold the lodge at Sunderland . ( Loud applause . ) During the past year he had every reason to be grateful for the kind assistance he had received from the officers of the province , and especially from Bro . Hudson , the Prov . Grand Secretary , who , he was glad to find , continued in oflice . he The Health of

( Applause . ) In conclusion , proposed " of thc Deputy Prov . Grand Master , Bro . Sir H . Williamson . " ( Applause . ) Several other toasts followed . The arrangements were excellently carried out , and the proceedings were very successful . The music was rendered by Bros . Walker , Whitehead , and Nutton , of Durham Cathedral Choir ; and Bro . Roynes , of Yarm .

Provincial Grand Chapter Of Somerset.

PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF SOMERSET .

The third annual Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Alasons for the Province of Somerset was held on the iSth inst ., in the Alasonic Hall , Weston-super-AIare , under the banner of the Inkermann ; Chapter , No . 1222 . The interior of the building has just been painted and decorated ( the work being done by Bro . Theophilus Palmer ) , and the visitors ,

of whom there were many from different parts of the county , were loud in their expressions of admiration of the hall , its furniture and fittings , indeed we question whether there is a prettier one in the province . The local chapter and the visitors received the popular Prov . Grand Superintendent ( Col . A . W . Adair ) , R . C . Else , H ., Grand Standard Bearer of England ; and E . Turner Payne , J . and Treasurer , with due honour . The other officers of

Prov . Grand Chapter present were : Comps . Alajor Long , E . ; Dr . Woodforde , P . S . ; E . L . Hill , Assist . S . ; Budge , jun ., Swd . Br . ; B . Cox , D . C ; and R . Couzins , Janitor . The Royal Cumberland Chapter , No . 41 , Bath ( one of the oldest in England , having completed its centenary ) , was represented by Comps . Lawson Howes , Z . j Edmund White , P . Z . ; T . P . Ashley , P . Z . ; T . B . Aloutrie , P . Z . ; S . G . Mitchell , P . Z ., P . P . G . R . ; John Rubie , P . */ .. ; W .

Williamson , P . Z . ; C . VV . Radway , E . j E . J . B . Alercer , N . ; Robert Bull , James Robinson , and G . H . Bartlett . The other chapters were represented as follows : Comps . E . Turner Payne , P . Z .: Lieut .-Col . J . R . Ford , P . Z . ; T . R . Lord , P . Z . ; G . Holbrow , Z . ; and Alfred J . Salter , Janitor , of 53 ; VV . Adams , P . Z . and J . j and R . Couzins , janitor , of 2 O 1 j F . T . Elworthy , P . S . j XV . Clarke , P . Z . ¦ j S-i * . lolm Burnett , P . Z ., P . P . G . P . S . ; John C . Hunt , H . ;

and VV . AL Rice , of 291 ; Fred Cox , P . Z . ; H . F . Edgar , P . S . ; and Wm . Cox , of 329 ; C . L . Fry Edwards , P . Z . ; Alajor Long , P . Z . ; and W . Reece , of 44 O ; Sidney Lewis , / .. ; VV . M . " Forty , P . Z . and H . pro tem . ; W . E . Perrett , I . ; Ernest E . Baker , E . ; E . Western , N . pro tem . ; G . Vates , P . S . ; VV . H . Woolerand E . T . Dew , Assist . Stwds . j IS . Cox , P . Z . ; Sidney Jones , P . Z . ; F . W . S . Wickstecd ,

E . T . Dew , E . S . Nunn , A . Howell , Felix Thomas , G . E . Alford , Joseph P . James , J . Tytherleigh , G . H . Perrett , and \ V . Cousins , janitor , of 1222 . _ The visitors present were : Comps . Alajor Desmond Adair , I 2 G 1 ; E . J . Grubb , OS ; H . B , Flarington , 145 ,- and Geo . Glossop , 93 S . At the opening of the chapter the companions sang thc hymn commencing" O Lord , how joyful 'tis to see

The brethren join in love to thee . " The roll of chapters having been called , and the minutes read , the Treasurer informed the chapter that Comp . Else had generously presented the official collar jewels for the chapter , and a hearty vote of thanks was presented to him for his gift . Upon the motion of the TREASURER , seconded by Comi * . S . LEWIS , a sum of eight guineas was voted for

the purchase of the jewel of Grand Standard Bearer in the Grand Chapter of England , to be presented to Comp . Else on appointment to that office , an honour upon which hc was also heartily congratulated . The accounts showed a favourable _ balanre of £ 34 iSs . 2 d . Comp . Payne was b y acclamation re-elected Prov . Grand Treasurer , with thanks for his past services . The officers for the ensuing year were invested as

follows : Comp . R . C . Else ( re-appointed ) ... Prov . G . 2 nd P „ Col . J . R . Ford Prov . G . 3 rd P „ Alajor Long Prov . G . S . E .

„ VV . AI . Forty Prov . G . S . N . „ C . L . Fry Edwards Prov . G . P . S . Comps . VV . Williamson and XV . Clarke Prov . G . A . Stds Comp . E . Turner Payne Prov . G . Treas . .. VV . Adams Prov . G . D . C *

„ Lawson Howes Prov . G . Reg . ,, F . Cox Prov . G . Swd . B . „ Sidney Jones Prov . G . Std . B . " S . Lewis Prov . G . Org . Comps . R . Couzins and A . J . Salter ... Prov . G . Janitors . Thornllar nf P C . M . wn « intended for Como . White . ' the

oldest S . W . in the province , and P . Z . of the Cumberland Chapter , but the companion having retired from the chapter , on account of the state of his health , the honour was conferred upon the present Z . of the chapter . The PROV . GRAND SUI'E KINTENDENT mentioned that a most beautiful standard is being made by the kindly hands of some ladies who have relatives among Royal Arch Alasons . The death of General Alunbec was feelingly

alluded to by Colonel Adair , at whose instance was passed a vote of sympathy and condolence to the Alasons and inhabitants of VVeston-super-Alare on their loss . The alms collected , amounting to £ 2 3 s . 3 d ., were voted to the Weston-super-Mare Hospital . At the conclusion of the business the companions ' repaired to the Royal Hotel for the banquet . This was served in first-class style , the fare being choice and varied , and the

wines of the high quality for which the Royal is noted . After dinner a short list of toasts was gone through , and the companions spent a very pleasant evening in social fellowship . The ALE . PROV . GRAND SUPERINTENDENT took occasion to express his satisfaction at the improved method of working the Royal Arch Degree , and his desire that , as far as possible , the chapters should secure the uniformity of ritual .

H . R . H . the Duke of Albany and R . W . Bro . the Earl of Rosslyn , P . G . M . Scotland , were sponsors at the baptism of the infant aoti and heir of Lord Brooke , at the Chapel Royal , St . James ' s . Lady Brooke is a daughter of the Countess of Rosslyn , by her first husband , Air . Maynard .

Prov. Grand Mark Lodge Of Hampshire And The Isle Of Wight.

PROV . GRAND MARK LODGE OF HAMPSHIRE AND THE ISLE OF WIGHT .

This Prov . Grand Alark Lodge held its annual meeting atthe Alasonic-rO'ims , India Arms Hotel , Gosport , on Saturday , the 21 st inst ., when there were present : R . W . Bro . VV . Hickman ( G . J . W . Eng . ) , D . P . G . AI . AL ; W . Bros . J . E .-Le Feuvre , P . G . M . O ., P . P . G . S . W . ; W . J . Hickman , P . AI . 63 , P . G . S . W . ; R . L . Loveland , P . M . O 3 , P . G .

Treas . ; G . F . Lancaster , P . M . 2 , P . P . G . M . O . ; J . Lamb , P . AI . 37 , P . P . G . S . W . ; Geo . J . Tilling , P . AL 63 , ' Sec . ; R . Osborne , P . AI . 17 , P . G . Org . ; H . I . Guy , P . AL 2 , P . P . G . S . D . ; John Purnell , P . AI . 62 , P . P . G . S . B . ; G . Lear , W . M . 37 , P . G . J . O . ; R . J . Rastrick . W . M . 62 ; Geo . Cross , VV . M . 63 ; J . R . Hayman , W . AI . 17 ; Bros . G . A . Alursell , Al . O . 140 , P . G . D . C ; C . W . A . Jellicoe , S . W . 63 , P . G . Reg . Mks ; R . XV . Mitchell , I . W . 2 , P . G . l . G .:

W . Horton , J . O . 65 , P . G . S . ; W . D . Parkhouse , S . W . 02 , P . P . G . I . Wks . ; D . O . Hobbs , S . O . G 3 , P . G . S . ; W . Green , J . VV . 305 ; Rev . B . Ring , Chap . 305 ; C . W . Bemister , Sec . 63 ; W . Marshallsay , S . O . 17 ; R . F . West , 305 ; R . Sheldon , S . D . 305 ; W . G . Robinson , J . D . 305 ; H . Crisp , 43 ; A . Greig , 2 O 3 ; W . Sims , 305 j W . Rowe , 305 ; J . Sidney , sen ., 305 ; W . Hooper , 63 ; A . Knight , 305 ; G . Darby , 305 ; W . Fennell , 224 ; VV . C . Webb , 3 S 7 ; I .

Howell 2 ; G . Carter , Tyler , 2 ; Lewis Cauvin , Tyler 305 j and J . Watson , 17 , P . G . Tyler . Provincial Grand Lodge having been opened , the D . P . G . M . expressed his regret at the absence of the Provincial Grand Alaster , M . W . Bro . Rev . Canon Portal , but he was pleased to say that the Canon had returned from the South of France much improved in health , though not yet able to take his accustomed place in Provincial Grand Lodge .

The minutes of the last meeting , held at Southampton , were then read and confirmed , and the accounts of the Provincial Grand Lodge of the past year , duly audited , were submitted and passed . The AI . VV . Bro . Rev . Canon Portal having completed his third term of three years of Provincial Grand Alaster , it was unanimously resolved , on the proposition of the Dep . Provincial Grand Alaster , seconded by W . Bro . J . E . LE FEUVRE , that he be again elected for recommendation to

Grand Master for re-appointment for a fourth triennial term . W . Bro . Loveland , the Provincial Grand Treasurer , was unanimously re-elected for the ensuing year . The W . M . 's of Lodges Nos . 2 and 305 were elected to audit the Provincial Grand Treasurer ' s accounts . The Provincial Grand Secretary , Bro . W . TILLING , read a list of the returns from the lodges of the province , and the same were ordered to be entered on the minutes . The following brethren were then appointed and invested as Provincial Grand Officers * .

Bro . XV . Hickman , 63 Prov . D . G . M . M . „ S . G . Kirchhoffer , 54 ... Prov . G . S . W . „ G . F . Lancaster , 305 ... Prov . G . J . W . „ R . J . Rastrick , 62 Prov . G . M . O . „ R . " Osborne , 17 Prov . G . S . O . „ G . Cross , 6 3 Prov . G . J . O . „ Rev . Dr . Ring , 305 7 D r- cr . 1 " Rev . Ward , 37 \ Prov * G * Chaplains .

„ R . L . Loveland , O 3 Prov . G . Treas . „ H . J . Guy , 2 Prov . G . Reg . of AL „ George J . Tilling , Gj ... Prov . G . Sec . „ R . VV . Mitchell Prov . G . S . D . „ VV . Horton , O 3 Prov . G . J . D . „ J . R . Hayman , 17 Prov . G . L of Works . „ D . O . Hobbs , 03 Prov . G . D . of C . „ VV . Green , 30 . 5 Prov . G . Swd . Br .

„ C . VV . Bemister , 63 Prov . G . Std . Br . „ Waters , 305 ... Prov . G . Org . „ H . Crisp , 305 Prov . G . I . G . „ G . Darby , 2 *) „ VV . Marshallsay \ Prov . G . Stewards . „ J . Howell , 305 ) „ J . Watson , 17 Prov . G . Tyler . At the close ot the meeting the brethren sat down to a

banquet at the hotel . The D . P . G . AL presided , and the usual Alasonic toasts were duly | honoured . Previous to the Provincial Grand Lodge meeting , a new lodge , called the Gosport Lodge , 305 , was constituted by thc D . P . G . AL , assisted by the Grand Oflicers of the province . The ceremony of installing the W . AL , Bro . G . F .

Lancaster , was performed by the Prov . Grand Treas ., W . Bro . Loveland . Votes of thanks were accorded to the D . P . G . AL , for constituting the lodge ; also to the Installing-Alaster , and the following brethren were unanimously elected honorary members of the lodge : VV . Bros . W . Hickman , Le Feuvre , R . Loveland , and G . J . Tilling .

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Lancashire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF LANCASHIRE .

The annual provincial' meeting was held on Thursday , the 19 th inst ., at Accrington , under the auspices of the Starkie Lodge , No . 159 . The lodge was opened at 2 . 30 , and at three o ' clock the Prov . G . ALAL , the Right Hon . the Earl of Lathom , and Colonel Le Gendre Starkie , D . P . G . M . M ., with a very large number of Provincial Grand Officers , entered the room , and the Provincial Grand

Lodge was opened in due form . The meeting was one of the most successful ever held , as it was found when the Grand Secretary called over the roll that only one lodge was unrepresented . The minutes of the Provincial Grand Lodge , held at Liverpool , October IS . ISSI , were read and confirmed . The Prov . Grand Treasurer ' s accounts were presented and adopted , and showed a substantial balance to the credit of the Grand Lodge .

Upon the motion of Bro . Colonel STARKIE , the Right Hon . the Earl of Lathom was again nominated for the distinguished position of G . M . M . M . for the Province of Lancashire during the ensuing three years . Bro . O . O . WALKER seconded the resolution , which was carried with acclamation . The following were appointed as Provincial Grand Officers for the ensuing year : Bro . Col . Le Gendre Starkie Prov . D . G . AI .

.. lohn Little Prov . G . S . W . „ John Little Prov . G . S . W . „ Abraham Clegg Prov . G . J . W . „ Eli Knowles Prov . G . Al . O . „ John F . Roberts Prov . G . S . O . „ John Williams Prov . G . J . O . „ A . B . Bevan Prov . G . Chap . „ Richard Rushton Prov . G . Treas .