Stewards' Lists.

As regards the Returns from THE PROVINCES , a mere g lance at the lists will suffice to show how eminently satisfactory they are . Last year the number that sent up Stewards was 30 , while the number of representatives was 152 , who together obtained a total of donations and subscriptions amounting to £ 7866 3 s . 6 d . On Wednesday only 29 out of the 46 Provinces enured in the list , but the number of Stewards was 212 , and the total thev raised

amongst them was £ 10 , 018 19 s . 66 . Thisis a very substantial increase on the 1 S 95 figures , and what is equally gratifying is that the average per list is a high one . We have said that only 29 Provinces took part in the proceedings on Wednesday , the remaining 17 having been absentees for reasons which the reader will , doubtless , consider satisfactory in , at all events , the majority of cases . Thus , B HDFOKDSHIRH ( seven lodges ) took part in two out of the three Festivals in 18 95 , a Steward from one of its lodges handing in a list of £ 43 is . at the Festival of

this Institution in February , while in June , the Province as a whole , and Lodge 2-543 contributed £ 105 to the Boys' School . In 1 S 94 the Province raised ~ £ . 23 S 9 s . ; in 1893 , £ 183 17 s . 6 d . ; and in 1 S 92 , £ 152 5 s ., having been an absentee from only two of the dozen Festivals held during the last four years . BRISTOL ( nine lodges ) was entered at the Benevolent and Boys' School Festivals in IS Q 5 , the total of its contributions being £ 207 18 s ., of which all but £ 10 10 s . was given to the Boys' School . In 18 94 the Girls' School obtained support to the

extent of £ 441 , which was supplemented by £ 16 16 s . subscribed to the Boys ' School , while , though , in 1893 it was an absentee from all three Festivals , it did good service to " Our Boys" in 18 91 and 1892 , the total it raised for that Institution in the years in question being £ 911 . CUMBERLAND AND WESTMORLAND ( 21 lodges ) was represented at the Benevolent Festival last year by Bro . W . F . Lamonby , whose list for the Province amounted to £ 102 18 s . In May , 1 S 94 , it raised , per Bro . T . A . Argles , £ 178 10 s . for the Girls' School , and the year

preceding , £ 63 8 s . for the Boys' School , while in 1892 it gave its attention to the Benevolent Institution , for the Jubilee of which it subscribed , per Bro . G . Mackay , its then D . P . G . M ., £ 420 . That DERBYSHIRE ( 26 lodges ) should have been an absentee on this occasion will surprise no one . His Grace the Duke of Devonshire , K . G ., Prov . G . M ., has consented to preside at the Boys' School Festival in the month of June , and it is only natural that it should reserve its strength in order to support its chief worthily , especially when we know how generous have

been its contributions to all three Institutions in past years , the totals for which it has figured in the Returns for the last five years being £ 9 80 7 s ., £ 173 8 14 s ., £ 1025 Ss . 6 d ., £ 648 5 s . fid ., and £ 550 6 s . With such figures to its credit , and such a responsibility awaiting it a few months hence , a rest from labour is justifiable . We are afraid we cannot speak in such complimentary terms as we should like to employ of the large Province of DEVONSHIRE ( 52 lodges ) , which raised only £ 226 16 s . for the Boys' School in 18 95 ; £ 135 12 s . for the Schools in 18 94 ; and

£ ISI 2 s . for the Boys' School and Benevolent Institution in 1893 . In 1892 , it certainly did well , the total it raised for the three Charities being £ 923 S 3 . 6 d ., of which £ 807 18 s . 6 d . was included in the Returns at the Jubilee of this Institution . But though these figures would reflect credit on a smaller Province , they hardly strike us as being worthy of one which in point of numerical strength occupies so foremost a place on the roll as Devonshire . As for HEREFORDSHIRE ( five lodges ) , we trust that , though it is about the smallest of our Provinces , it does

not intend to be a perpetual absentee from these gatherings . The last time a Steward from this Province figured in any of these Returns was at the Benevolent Jubilee in 18 92 , and then the total of his list was only a small sum . We know there are Herefordshire brethren who contribute to our Institutions , and we see no reason why they should not occasionally take part in these Festivals . LEICESTERSHIRE AND RUTLAND ( 14 lodges ) raised £ 300 6 s . for this Institution last year , and £ 21 for the Boys' School , while in 1804 , the total for the year was

£ 393 IOS ., of which the Girls' School received £ 330 10 s . In 10 , 93 , the Boys ' School was supported to the extent of £ 26 7 10 s , and in 1892 , £ 388 ios . was raised for the Jubilee of this Institution . LINCOLNSHIRE ( 24 lodges ) is reserving itself for the Girls'School Festival in May , when its [ Provincial Grand Master , the Earl of Yarborough , has promised to preside . In 18 95 , it raised £ 540 is . for the Boys'School ; in 18 92 , £ 660 5 s . for the Benevolent Jubilee ; and in 1891 , £ 481 for the Boys School . In 1893 and 1894 , it contributed on a small scale to the

Schools . Last year NORFOLK ( 17 lodges ) subscribed per Bro . H . J . Sparkes as representative of the whole Province , £ 205 5 s . to the Girls' School . In 18 94 , it gave £ 134 13 s . to the Boys' School , and in 1893 , £ 78 15 s . to the Institution ( or Girls j while in 1892 , it figured in the Returns at the Benevolent Jubilee for / 4065 s . It is hardly to be expected that NORTHUMBERLAND ( 28 lodges ) , after raising per Bro . R . H . Holmes , D . P . G . M ., £ 2315 5 s . for the Girls' School Festival in Way , 1895 , and £ iS 6 iSs . for the Boys' School a few weeks later , should be in a position to do much for the Old People on this occasion , but the experience of

past years inclines us to hope that it will not be long before we shall have the pleasure of including its contributions in the Returns for one or other of our festivals , and that , when this does happen , the figures will be on a large scale . NOTTINGHAMSHIRE ( 17 lodges ) was represented at the Benevolent Festival in 11 , t ru n V -5 ' t 0 the extent of £ ' ° 7 t 2 s . 6 i ., and at that of the Boys' School in the following July for £ 166 19 s . It was among the absentees in 18 94 , but in 18 93 11 gave £ 131 5 s . to the Girls' School ; and in 18 92 , £ 157 103 . to the Old People , and £ 34 13 s . to the Boys' School . As SOMERSETSHIRE ( 26 lodges ) bore the heat and burden of the day at last year ' s Benevolent Festival , when Viscount

Dungarvan was in the chair , and supplemented its handsome contribution of X 1057 17 s . 6 d . to that Institution with minor subscriptions to the Schools , we are not surprised at its absence on Wednesday . After a total of £ 1745 os . 6 d . in a Mngle year from a medium-sized Province , a rest for a while is justified , and all the more so , when we know that the Province is frequently , if not invariably , represented , and to very good purpose , at these Anniversary gatherings . SOUTH WALES , WESTERN DIVISION ( 10 lodses )

contributed , per Bro . J . Llewellyn Thomas , £ 239 195 . 6 d . to the Boys' School estival m the summer of last year ; £ 154 12 s . to this Institution in 1894 ; in 8 ' 9 - to the Girls * School in 1893 ; and £ 161 is . 6 d . to the Boys'School ih si < W may look 5 orward > therefore , to finding it represented at one of be " ? ' J estivals in May and June respectively . W ILTSHIRE ( I I lodges ) may . . 7 , ned to support at least one Institution every year . Thus in 1892 it lsea . 6483 14 s . for the Benevolent Jubilee ; in 18 93 , £ 185 17 s . for the Girls ' iCi ' j - ? ' 5 S - forthe i 3 ° y s' School ; in 18 94 , £ 175 14 s . 6 d . for the Old / OPIC , and £ 126 AS . for "Our Bovs " : And Inst vMr Sinn fie fnr tho latter

lodmA T' Tlle rema ' n'ng absentees were GUERNSEY AND ALDERNEV ( 5 and th •' ERSIIY ( 7 lodges ) , and ISLE OF MAN ( 9 ledge ; - ) , which every now of don *? - S £ nd Up Stewards , and occasionally with a considerable amount referrpH t' ° u and subscri Ptions on their lists . Tie 17 absentee Provinces accoi . ni • com P rise 'n a » 288 Ioc ' ges , which must be emitted from the """<• m estimating the Provincial Returns on Wednesday . five J | 1 ! r S : . L re P rescnted Provinces ; n their alphabetical order , we find that lve out of the 15 lodges in

BERKSHIRE C . V KC" ! a" , 0 , ; # st 'hem £ j 4 j , ( he principal lists being those of Bro . and Henf ^ j' r . ' ^' U- ' '' ' ° 'si les rc ^ iesenting lodges and chapters in London No « IN L' duty as Steward for the Loyal Berkshire Lodge of Hope , 414 lit' ,,,- bur * wh ° R l'res for £ 147 , and Bro . W . Bonny , of No . 1 . eaoing , who rcturns £ 6 S . S- Ust the Provmce raised

Stewards' Lists.

£ 939 6 s . 4 d ., of which £ 450 17 s . was contributed to this Institution in February ; £ 131 ios . to the Girls' School in May ; and £ 356 19 s . 4 d . to the Boys' School in July . In 1 S 94 , the total was £ 583 13 s . 6 d . ; in iSy 3 , £ 724 7 s . ; and in 1 S 92 , £ 954 us . 6 d ., of which £ 661 9 s . 6 d . was in respect of the Benevolent Jubilee . Our Berkshire brethren will have to exert themselves in order to maintain the high average of the last four years , but whether they succeed or not , we feel sure they will acquit themselves well .

Only two of the 18 lodges in BUCKINGHAMSHIRE sent up Stewards on Wednesday , but Bro . and Mrs . James Stephens did duty as Unattached , and the total raised by the . four amounted to £ 61 17 s . 6 d . Last year the Province began with a modest contribution to the Old Pejple of £ 52 ios ., following it up with £ 260 to the Girls' School , and £ 176 4 s . 6 d . to the Boys' School , the proceeds of the year's work being £ 438 14 s . 6 d .

In 1 S 94 , the total reached £ 590 163 ., of which the Boys' School had the good fortune to receive £ 429 15 s . ; while in 18 93 . it was £ 479 163 . ; in 1892 , £ 705 15 s . ; and in 1 S 91 , the first year of its career as a separate Province , £ 511 is . We have no doubt that before the end of June we shall find the Returns for the current year will compare favourably with those of its predecessors . It is worth mentioning that Bro . Stephens acted as Unattached Steward at all the Festivals of 18 95 . CAMBRIDGESHIRE

is but a small Province with six lodges on its roll , but it ' . has managed during the last few years to do some capital work in support of our Institutions . Last year , for instance , it raised £ 168 for the Schools , the Girls' receiving £ 131 5 s ., and the Boys' the balance of £ 36 15 s . In 18 94 and 1 S 93 it distributed its support

among the three Charities , the total in the former year being £ 239 , and for the latter £ 290 17 s ., while in 1 S 92 it gave its whole attention to the Benevolent Jubilee , for which it raised the handsome amount of £ 326 Ss .. On Wednesday it sent up as Steward Bro . W . P . Spalding , his list , as representative of Scientific Lodge , No . S 8 , Cambridge , being for £ 80 16 s . We are agreeably surprised to find

CHESHIRE in the Returns . True only one of its 46 lodges sent up a Steward , and Bro . H . Nash acted independently , the sum of the two lists being a modest £ 31 ios . But we have a very clear recollection of the strenuous efforts it made last summer when Lord Egerton of Tatton , Prov . G . Master , presided at the Boys ' School Festival , and its 83 Stewards together raised the sum of £ 2000 , while in

May it gave £ 73 ios . to the Girls' School . After such an effort as this it is not to be wondered at that Wednesday ' s total was so small . In 18 91 it raised £ 1050 for the Boys' School , and the year following £ 1988 ios . for the Benevolent Jubilee ; and in addition it has subscribed a capital of about £ 3000 for a Benevolent Institution of its own in addition to its Educational Institute , which was founded over 30 years ago .

It is a feather in the cap of CORNWALL , which , though it numbers 30 lodges , is not a strong or a wealthy Province , that Bro . James A . Bell , its representative on Wednesday , should have been in a position to hand in a list of £ 178 ios . Bro . the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe , its Prov . G .

Master , presided as Chairman at the Girls' School Festival last year , when the sum raised by the Province was £ 750 , while two months later Bro . Bell , as Provincial Steward , returned £ 39 18 s . to the Boys' School Festival . In 1894 it apportioned £ 241 ios . pretty equally between the Schools , while in 1 S 93 it raised £ 225 15 s . for the Boys' School . But in 1892 , when the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe presided as Chairman at the Benevolent Jubilee , the sum contributed was £ 776 15 s . Thus the record is a good one , and well maintained from year to year .

DORSETSHIRE , which now has 14 lodges on its roll , had a very worthy and , what is more to the purpose , a very able and experienced representative in Bro . Major W . Watts , who had the pleasure of compiling a list of £ 150 , and this was supplemented by £ 10 IOS ., per Bro . S . R . Baskett , as Steward for the Beaminster Manor Lodge , No . 1367 , Beaminster . In February , 18 95 , the same Bro . Baskett , representing Provincial Grand Lodgeand Provincial Grand Chapter , handed in a list of £ 105 ,

and in July Bro . W . E . Brymer , M . P ., D . P . G . M ., and Bro . Major Watts made up a total between them of £ 246 is ., of which £ 211 is . was obtained by the former as Steward for the whole of the Province , and ^ 35 by the latter , acting as Steward for Lodge No . 1266 , Blandford , the year ' s total being £ 351 is . In 18 94 , the total was £ 192 ios ., of which £ 157 ios . was raised by Bro . Dugdale for the Old People , and £ 35 , by Bro . Major Watts , for the Girls' School ; in 1893 , the sum raised for the Schools was £ 233 ; and in 18 92 , for this Institution at its Jubilee Anniversary £ 521 6 s .

Three Stewards did duty for DURHAM , four out of the 36 lodges being represented—N 03 . 531 , 1802 , and 2462 , by Bro . F . H . Bennett , and No . 1418 by Bro . C . W . Anderson , Bro . John Robinson , with £ 21 to his credit , being Unattached . The total returned by two of the three reached £ 157 ios ., the principal item being £ 105 , compiled by Bro . F . H . Bennett . This

augurs well for the present year , the Province being a regular and liberal supporter of all three Institutions . In 1 S 92 , it raised £ 1034 5 s ., of which the Benevolent Jubilee obtained £ 720 5 s . ; the Girls' School , £ 105 ; and the Boys' School , £ 209 . In 18 93 , the total stood at £ 338 2 s . ; in 1894 , at £ 509 25 . ; and last year at £ 512 8 s ., of which £ 330 15 s . was subscribed to this Institution , £ 105 to the Girls' School , and the balance of £ 7 6 13 s . to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys .

A compact body of 11 Stewards did duty for ESSEX , nine of them being representatives of seven out of its 3 S lodges , one Unattached , and the remaining acting for one of its chapters . The total sum obtained by them is returned at £ 296 3 s ., the most important list being that of Bro . Charles Westwood , No . 1343 , for £ 63 . The total raised in 1 S 95 was £ 1272 5 s . 6 d ., of

which £ 324 7 s . was compiled tor this Institution ; £ 398 3 s . 6 d . for the Girls' School in May ; and £ 639 19 s . for the Boys' School in July . In 1894 , the total was £ 1123 , of which £ 823 13 s . was subscribed to the Girls' School ; in 1893 , when the Provincial Grand Master—then Lord Brooke—acted as Chairman at the Boys ' School—it amounted to £ 2258 3 s . 6 d ., of which all but £ 102 175 . 6 d . was raised in support of his lordship's chairmanship ; while in 1892 , it reached the still higher

figure of £ 2608 5 s , of which £ 2318 2 s . 6 d . was raised for the Benevolent-Jubilee . In 1891 , including £ 1265 15 s . 6 d . subscribed to the Boys' School , the total for the year was £ 1648 . Thus in the last five years the lowest contribution to the three Chaiities is £ 1123 , while in two of the years , it very largely exceeded £ 2000 . Judging from what was done on Wednesday , the prospects for the current year are decidedly encouraging .