Scotland.

lodge he had reasons to be proud of the high honour they had conferred upon him . He should always be pleased to meet any of them , and anything he could do to promote the interest of the lodge it would be a great pleasure for him to do . There being no further business , the lodge was closetl .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of East Lancashire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF EAST LANCASHIRE .

The annual meeting of this Prov . Grand Lodge was held on Thursday , 13 th May , in St . John ' s Schools , Darwen . There was a numerous atteniiance of the brethren , amongst whom were : Bros . Col . Le G . N . Starkie , R . W . Prov . G . M . ; J . L . Mine , P . Prov . G . W ., as Dep . Prov .

G . M . ; Thos . Glaister , Prov . S . G . W . ; Jas . A . Birch , Prov . J . G . W . ; R . H . Hutchinson , P . Prov . G . W . ; G . Mellor , P . Prov . G . W . ; Major T . G . Parker , P . Prov . G . W . ; Rev . F . A . Cave-Browne-Cave and Rev . C . J . Bowen , Prov . G . Chaplains ; Saml . Isherwood , Prov . G . Treasurer ; Thos . Clough , P . Prov . G . R . ; Chas . Heywood , P . Prov . G . R . ; John Tunnah , Prov . G . Sec . ;

Wm . Slater , Prov . S . G . D . ; J . L . Barrett , Prov . J . G . D . ; W . H . Prince , P . Prov . G . D . ; T . J . Lancashire , P . Prov . G . D . ; Isaac W . Petty , P . Prov . G . D . ; Robt . Harwood , Prov . G . Sup . of Works ; Robt . Whittaker ; Prov . G . Dir . of Cers . * , Geo . Lofthouse , Assist . Prov . G . Dir . of Cers . ; Wm . Whewell , Prov . G . Sword Bearer ; Thos . Law , P . Frov . G . Organist ; Jas . Hall ,

Prov . G . Purs . ; Robt . Buttcrworth , Assist . Prov . G . Purs . ; Jas . Newton , John Morris , Robt . Horridge , Jas . Horrocks , Prov . G . Stewards ; . Chas . Walker , Prov . G . Tyler . Also Bro . Franklin Thomas , P . Prov . G . Reg ., Oxon ; Bro . Ralph Landless , P . Prov . G . Sword Bearer , West Lancashire ; and representatives from 75 of the 81 lodges in the province .

The minutes of the last preceding meeting of the Prov . Grand Lodge were confirmed . The Prov . G . Treasurer ' s accounts for the past year were presented and unanimously adopted and approved , and a vote of thanks was accorded to the auditors , Bros .

Jas . Pilkington , Dr . Royle , and J . B . Jackson . On the proposition of Bro . Samuel Isherwood , Prov . G Treasurer , seconded by Bro . J . L . Hine , P . Prov . G . War den , Bro . Samuel Statham , P . M . 325 , Salford , was unanimously elected Prov . G . Treasurer , and was thereupon in vested with the emblem of his office .

The R . W . Prov . G . Master appointed the following Prov G . Officers : —Bros . W . Romaine Callcndcr , M . P ., Dep Prov . G . M . ; J . Tertius Dugdale , Prov . S . G . W . ; Chas Hy . Coates , J . G . W . ; Rev . F . A . Cavc-Brown-Cave and Rev . Alfred Salts , G . Chaplains ; Thos . Chorlton , G . Reg . ; John Tunnah , G . Sec ; Peter Royle , M . D ., S . G . D . ; George Wood , J . G . D . ; Wm . Almond , G

Supt . of Works ; Wm . Hy . Hopkins , G . Dir . of Cers . j Thos . Grime , Assist . Dir . of Cers . ; Thos . Taylor , Grand Sword Bearer •Edwin Halliwell , G . Organist j John Taylor , G . Purs . ; Albert Wolstenholm , Assist . G . Purs . ; John Wardley , J . A . Tullis , Hy . Berry , Job Gregg , J . \ V . Shorrock , J . H . Shorrock , G . Stewards ;

Chas . Walker , G . Tyler . The Report of the Charity Committee was read by Bro . J . L . Hine , P . Prov . G . W ., chairman of the committee , and unanimously approved . At the close of business the brethren proceeded in procession to the Co-operative Hall , where the banquet took place .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Mark Master Masons Of Cheshire And North Wales.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF MARK MASTER MASONS OF CHESHIRE AND NORTH WALES .

By command of the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Mark Master , Bro . the Right Hon . Wilbraham Egerton , M . P ., a Provincial Lodge of Mark Master Masons was held at the Masonic Hall , Llandudno , on Friday , the 21 st inst ., at three o ' clock , when and where all Worshipful

Past Masters , Acting Wardens , and overseers of lodges within the province , as well as from neighbouring provinces , were invitctl to attend the duties of the annual meeting . The invitation was cordially responded to , and the consequence was a large , influential , and unanimous gathering of brethren of the Mark Degree . There were representatives from the most distant parts of the

widespread province , but Birkenhead was the most numerously represented . Amongst those who attended we observed the following : —Bros , the Hon . Wilbraham Egerton , M . P ., R . W . P . M . M . ; W . Bulkeley Hughes , M . P ., P . Prov . G . S . W . ; Major Piatt , P . G . J . D . ; T . Piatt , P . G . T . ; Captain Hampton Lewis , P . G . I . of W . ; G . L . Woodley , P . G . A . D . C ; J . Sillitoe , P . G . S . O . ; R . Newhousc , P . G . S . ; C . H . Coates ,

P . G . S . B . ; J . M . Bentley , P . G . O . ; G . H . Wilson , P . G . S . ; G . Higgins , P . G . St . B . ; J . Heap , P . G . S . ; J . Worthington , P . G . T . ; R . Gracie , M . O . No . 11 ; Mathews , J . O . No . 11 ; Geo . Morgan , J . W . No . 11 ; J . Burgess , l . G . No . 11 ; M . Radcliffe , No . 11 ; F . Bolton ; E . G . Lowe , No . 38 •, W . L . Banks , No , 38 ; J . Bcresford ; Roosc , No . 38 ; Moon , No . 38 , tec .

The Provincial Grand Lodge was held under the auspices of St . David's Lodge of Mark Masters , No . 38 , of which Bro . W . Bulkeley Hughes , M . P ., P . Prov . S . G . W ., is the W . M . ; and the Mark Lodge was opened shortly before two o'clock by Bro . Sillitoc , P . M . Several brethren were advanced to the degree of M . M . The Provincial Grand Mark Lodge was then opened by Bro . the Hon . W .

Egerton , M . P ., R . W . P . G . M . M ., the position of V . W . D . P . G . M . being occupied by Bro . W . Bulkeley Hughes , M . P ., in the unavoidable absence of Bro . the Rev . C . W . Spencer Stanhope . The roll of lodges was called over , and letters of apology for non-attendance from P . G . Officers were submitted . The minutes of the last Provincial Grand Lod ge meeting , held at Birkenhead on the nth April , 1874 , were read and put tor confirmation , After the trans .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Mark Master Masons Of Cheshire And North Wales.

action of some formal business , the following brethren were appointed officers for the year 1861;—6 : —Bros , the Hon . Wilbraham Egerton , M . P ., R . W . P . G . M . M . ; the Rev . C . W . Spencer Stanhope , V . W . D . P . G . M . M . ; Captain Charles Hunter , P . G . S . W . ; Captain James Watson , P . G . J . W . ; Dr . Roden , P . G . M . O . ; George II . Wilson , P . G . S . O . ; George Higgins , P . G . J . O . ; the Rev . J . W .

Newell Tanner , P . G . Chaplain ; Charles Henry Coates , P . G . Treas . ; Richard Newhouse , P . G . Sec . ; John Bercsford , P . G . R . ; Robert Gracie , P . G . S . D . ; Francis Bolton , P . G . J . D . ; Frederick Higgins , P . G . I , of W . ; James I leap , P . G . D . of C . ; Reginald S . Chamberlain , P . G . A . D . C ; George Morgan , P . G . Swd . B . ; Morgan Radcliffe , P . G . Std . B . ; Thomas H . Kirk , P . G . O . ; Robert Fcrgusson , P . G . P . ;

John Worthington , P . G . Tyler ; Stewards—Bros . W . L . Banks , E . G . Lowe , Dr . Pritchard . The next Prov . Grand Lodge was fixed to be held at Altrincham , Cheshire . At the conclusion of the business a large number of the brethren banquctted at the Adelphi Hotel , Llandudno , under the presidency of Bro . the I Ion . Wilbraham Egerton . An excellent banquet was provided ,

and during the evening the following toasts [ were proposed and cordially responded to : — "Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen . " " H . R . H . Albert Edward , Prince of Wales , M . W . Grand Master * , H . R . H . the Princess of Wales , and the rest of the Royal Family . " " The M . W ., Bro . Earl Percy , M . P ., G . M . M . M . " " The V . W ., Bro . The Earl of Limerick , Deputy G . M . M . M .,

and the rest of the Grand Officers . " "The R . W . Bro . the Hon . Wilbraham Egerton , M . P ., P . G . M . M ., of Cheshire and North Wales . " " The V . W .. the Rev . C . W . Spencer Stanhope , Deputy P . M . M ., and the rest of the Provincial Officers . " "The Worshipful Master of the St . David Lodge . " " The Masonic Charities , particularly the Mark Benevo ^ nt Fund . "

Laying Of The Memorial Stone Of The New Public Halls, Glasgow.

LAYING OF THE MEMORIAL STONE OF THE NEW PUBLIC HALLS , GLASGOW .

On Saturday , 22 nd inst ., with full Masonic honours , under the most favourable circumstances as regards weather , and in presence of an immense concourse of spectators , the memorial stone of the Glasgow New Public Halls was laid by Col . W . Montgomerie Neilson , of

Queenshill , Provincial Grand Master . The want of a building such as that now being erected has long been felt by the citizens of Glasgow . Impressed with the absolute necessity that existed for a building commensurate with the requirements of Glasgow , a number of gentlemen formed themselves into a company with the view of supplying this defect . The committee of the Public

Halls Company having purchased at a cost of ^ 12 , 258 that large square of ground extending from North-street to Granvillc-street , and- bounded on the north by Berkeleystreet , and on the south by Kent-road , and covering an area of 5492 yards , they proposed to erect a large building comprising a concert room , resembling the Philharmonic in Liverpool , although 011 a much larger scale , and a number

of other halls in which assemblies , soirees , and meetings of societies could be held . The designs of the late Mr , Cunninghame , of Liverpool , and Mr . Campbell Douglas , of Glasgow , were selected , although the plans of these gentlemen did not embrace the original intentions of the company . The contractors at once set to work , and the main walls arc already approaching completion . The

principal entrance to the hall will be by Granville-street . On the ground floor a large vestibule , 29 feet by 28 , with inner octagonal hall 36 feet in diameter , gives access on cither side to two ha'ls 75 by 40 feet , besides various reception-rooms , retiring-rooms , and other conveniences . From these halls , as well as from the vestibule , there is communication with the great hall , which occupies the

entire area of the eastmost portion of the building , and measures about 185 feet in length by 75 feet wide , the height of the ceiling being 56 feet . It will afford fully one half more accommodation than any other room in the city , and with the two smaller halls and the octagon chamber on the same floor , all of which arc connected by spacious doorways , it will form one of the finest suites of

rooms in the country for banquets or demonstrations of a public nature . From the progress already made with the work , the committee are confidently of opinion that thcjhalls will be finished in time to admit of the British Association holding their meeting within them in the autumn of 1876 . . Shortly before two o ' clock the committee of the Glasgow

Public Halls Company assembled in the large hall of the Queen ' s Rooms , where they received the Lord Provost , Magistrates , and others invited to take part in the ceremony . Among those who took part in the procession were the Lord Provost , Sir James Watson , Lord Dean of Guild , Sheriff Clark , Sheriff Galbraith , Professor Douglas , Rev . Henry Batchelor , Dr . Logan Aikman , Rev . Dr .

Marshall Lang , Rev . John Page Hopps , Dr . W . C . Smtih ; Bailies Torrens , Burt , Young , and Millar ; Councillors Gricrson , Wilson , Brownlie , Moir , M'Donald , Martin , Clark , Osborne , Fulton , Finlay , and John Taylor , jun . ; Deacon Convener Smith , Preceptor M'Donald , Messrs . J . Campbell of Tilliechewan , R . T . Middleton , John Mathieson , jun . ; James Hannan , E . Robinow , R . G . M'Gregor ,

A . "W . Auld , Anthony lnglis , Daniel Macnee , Arch . Galbraith , A . B . M'Gregor , Hugh Brown , David Rowan , Frank Baird , Provost Wilson , Govan , & c , & c . Captain M'Call , who acted as Grand Marshal for the civic portion , then arranged the precession according to the order in the programme ; while Mr . Robert Robb , who officiated as

Provincial Grand Master for the Masonic portion , arranged the members of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Freemasons , who had assembled in the Lower Hall , the Provincial Grand Master , Colonel W . Montgomerie Neilson , of Queenshill , presiding . The other office-bearers present were F . A . Barrow , Deputy P . G . Master , and Senior Deacon Grand Lodge of Scotland ; John Baiid , S . P . G . M . ;

Laying Of The Memorial Stone Of The New Public Halls, Glasgow.

J . B . Walker , P . G . Treas . ; George Sinclair , Treas . of P . G . L . Benevolent Fund ; A . M'Taggart , P . G . Sec . ; Rev . Dr . Burns , P . G . Chaplain ; Rev . Dr . Penney , P . G . Vice-Chaplain ; James Gillies , P . G . S . D . ; George Thallon , P . G . J . D . ; Alex . Bain , P . G . B . B . ; Andrew Allison , P . G . Jeweller ; Robert Robb , Chief P . G . Marshal ; John Fraser , P . G . Mar . shal ; John Balfour , P . G . Director of Ceremonies ; John

Miller , Director of Music ; Wm . Phillips , P . G . Sword Bearer ; A . Arrick Smith , P . G . I . G . ; and J . B . Hardie , P . G . Tyler . There were also present II . F . M'Lcan , Provincial Grand Master Upper Ward of Lanarkshire ; Alex . Smollett , Provincial Grand Master Dumbartonshire ; and Capt . G . R . I larriot , Provincial Grand Master Wigtown and Kirkcudbright . The Piovincial Grand Master having , by virtue

of the powers conferred upon him by Grand Lodge of Scotland , declared the lodge opened , the brethren proceeded to take their part in the procession , which , according to the programme and to Masonic etiquette , was at the end of all the lodges present . The Masonic portion of the procession included representatives or deputations from fully fifty lodges . Making allowance for one or two lodges , the

numbers of which could not be made out by the Marshals , the Masonic procession would muster in all about 1700 strong . On being marshalled the procession proceeded through the West-End Park , Park Terrace , Woodlands Terrace , Scotland-street , Woodside Crescent , North-street , St . Vincent-street , and Cleveland-street , to the site of the new building in Granville-street , in the following order : —Bind

of Music ; Chief Constable ; Officers of Police ; the Town Officers with Halberts ; the Lord Provost and Magistrates ; followed by the Town Council ; Judicial and Civil Officers of the Corporation ; Lord Dean of Guild ; Deacon-Con . vener ; Officers of Police ; Sheriff of Lanarkshire and Sheriffs-Substitute ; Clergy ; Officers of Police ; Chairman and

Directors of the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce ; Chairman and Members of the Public Halls Committee aiid Architect ; Inspector of Works and Contractors ; Officers of Police ; the Knights Templar ; the Masonic Lodges , the junior in front ; Band of Music ; the Provincial Grand Lodge ; Officers of Police .

I he procession as it wended its way through the streets was witnessed by immense crowds of people . The Knights Templar , dressed in a pure white garb , the Freemasons wearing the insignia of their office , and the numerous flags which were born aloft in the breeze , gave the procession quite an imposing appearance . On arriving at the hall in Granville-street , the Lord Provost , Magistrates , and others ,

took up their places on the platform , to the south side , anil the Freemasons in front of the memorial stone . When silence had been proclaimed by the Provincial Grand Marshal , the band played the National Anthem , and the Provincial Grand Chaplain having offered up an impressive prayer , the Provincial Grand Treasurer deposited in the cavity of the stone a hermetically sealed glass jar

containing the current coins of the realm , copies of the various newspapers , & c . The Grand Secretary , previous to depositing the plate in the memorial stone , read the inscription thereon , which was as follows : — " This memorial stone of the Glasgow Public Halls was laid by Colonel VV . Montgomerie Neilson , of Queenshill , Provincial Grand Master of Glasgow , on 22 nd May , 1875 , assisted by his

Provincial Grand Office-bearers , and a large number of Freemasons , in presence of the Hon . James Bain , Lord Provost , the Magistrates of the city , the Sheriffs of the county , James Campbell , Esq ., of Tillichewan , Chairman and the Directors of the Public Halls' Company , and a great concourse of spectators . " The 100 th Psalm was then sung by a well-trained choir in connection with the Choral Union ,

and the stone lowered into its place . The operatives having completed their part of the work , the Provincial Grand Master laid the memorial stone with the usual ceremonial , spreading com on it , and pouring out wine and oil thereon , repeating the while a short prayer , at the conclusion of which the band played the " Masons' Anthem , " and three cheers were given by the brethren .

The Provincial Grand Master said : —It is now expected that I should say a few words to the Chairman of the committee who have undertaken the erection of this edifice . I therefore address myself for a moment to Mr . Campbell and his excellent committee . I have to say that , according to your request , we have laid the foundation stone—or rather , in this case , the memorial stone—of

this building according to our ancient rites and ceremonies . Allow me , in name of the brethren , to congratulate you so far upon the great success of this enterprise . It is unnecessary for me here at this time to say much , but allow me to state that we , the brethren and public of Glasgow at large , have long felt the great want of such a hall as we now see being erected around us . It is exceedingly

gratifying to find we arc at last to be provided with accommodation so much required . Many around me know that there is not a city in the whole of England , even of the second class , which cannot boast of a magnificent public hall . It is much to be regretted that we in Glasgow , who boast that our city is the second in the Empire , have not till this moment made any tangible effort to have

such a hall . I have read in your reports that the subscribers to these halls number from 314 10320 . Now you all , and our friend the Lord Provost , may say , and perhaps with some truth , that we are a great city , a publicspirited city , and that we can boast of our 600 , 000 inhabitants . But it is suiprising to the brethren , as it is to me somewhat a matter of surprise , that with such a large population we can find only 314 individuals whoare public

spirited enough to subscribe to such an institution as-we have here . ( Applause . ) I cannot explain this phenomena . I leave you to do so ; but I have no doubt many of the thousands in Glasgow who cannot afford to subscribe for such a purpose , and who , 1 hope , will enjoy many hours of recreation and instruction within these walls , are much indebted indeed , and have much reason to be thankful , to you and to these 314 gentlemen who have doac so much for them in this way . £ Not long ago