Provincial Grand Lodge Of Kent.

than find himself with plenty of space in a large hall with Freemasonry diminishing . So long as he represented them he should always do bis best for Freemasonry ; as he had done it in the pas t he should hope to do it in the future . The Deputy Provincial Grand Master had spoken of the trouble the speaker had had in making the arrangements for last Saturday . His Royal Highness bad been

good enough to send for him and place the Masonic arrangements in his hands ; and , of course , in such a case he was bound to take some trouble that they should be able to meet their Royal Highnesses as the brethren of Kent would wish to meet them . Unhappily the meeting was adjourned—he was afraid it was adjourned sine die . If his Royal Highness would come down , he , for one , would

not fail to take sufficient care that the meeting should be worthy of the Province of Kent . The CHAIRMAN said that he should not like to go away without proposing the health of one without whose assistance he did not know what he should do ; one who had very worthily fulfilled the duties of Deputy Prov . Grand Master , and who , when the speaker ' s social engagements prevented

him from visiting so many lodges as he could wish , acted as his Deputy , and supported the dignity of the office . The P . G . M . said that when he heard , as he often did , the success of Freemasonry in the province attributed to his headship , he thought a great deal of it was due to his worthy Deputy . He hoped that the time might be long distant when that Deputy would not be found in his accustomed ful

place—at , or near , the right hand of the Worship Master . .. , Bro . EASTES , D . P . G . M ., thanked the P . G . M . for the very complimentary manner in which he had been pleased to propose his health , but he could not help smiling at the remarks with regard to the duties of the Deputy , which were light in comparison with those of the Prov . Grand

Master . The Chairman had referred to the progress thev had made in the past year , and it might be interesting to the brethren to learn that , whereas last year when they met ac Rochester there were 45 lodges in the province , with 2520 members , there were now 4 S lodges , with 25 SS

members . In conclusion , he reminded the brethren that they could not please their Prov . Grand Master better than by exercising < reat care as to those introduced into Freemasonry—initiating good men only . This would lessen the number of applicants to the Masonic Charities . He thanked the brethren for the cordial manner in which this toast had

been received . The P . G . M . said he was forced to go by the arrangements of a most unmasonic railway , but before going , he must propose " The Health of the Prov . Grand Officers Present and Past . " The province was much indebted to those gentlemen . He was pleased to see so many present . The Grand Officers of the past year had been very

attentive . At each ceremony he had had to perform there had been a remarkably full attendance , and none bad been more attentive than the Senior and J unior Grand Wardens ; the former , as a professional man with large calls upon his time , had vet been able on this occasion to subordinate his professional to his Masonic duties , though it must be at a considerable sacrifice on his part ; the Junior Grand

Warden had never failed on one occasion , and he thanked him heartily . Unless Grand Officers attended the ceremonies they could not be carried out properly , and he hoped that those who accepted purple would not look upon it as merely a collar to wear for a year , but that there were important duties attached to the office . His difficulty in appointing his officers had been not the finding

brethren willing to accept office , but in selecting his officers from the large number who were eligible . He hoped that those he had selected , would uphold the honour of the purple , and not suffer its lustre to diminish in their hands . He would associate this toast with the Senior Grand Warden for the year , wishing for a happy year of office for him and the rest of the Provincial Grand Officers .

Several other toasts were prososed , including " Prosperity to the Masonic Charities , " for which Bro . Binckes responded with his accustomed ability . The signature book showed the names of the following Grand and Prov . Grand Officers present : Bros . Lord

Holmesdale , P . G . M . ; Eastes , D . P . G . M . ; W . I . Jones , P . G . Chap . ; Rev . Thos . Robinson , G . Chap . Eng . ; J . Fcnwick , P . P . G . S . B . ; W . Cessford , P . P . G . P . ; Herbert Murray , P . P . G . S . B . ; ] . R . Foord , P . P . G . D . C ; F . Wells , P . P . G . S . W . ; P . Harvey , P . P . G . D . C . ; C . Gosby , P . P . G . S . B . ; E . G . Sears , P . G . S . D . ; W . Call , P . P . J . D . C . ; George Pelcher , P . P . G . D . C . ; Christopher Park , P . P . G . Ren-. Oxnn : Henrv Navlor , P . P . G . S . B . ; J . W .

Knight , P . P . G . D . C ; John Marshall , P . G . S . W . ; J . L . Terson , P . P . G . S . D . ; Noah Martin , P . P . G . S . B . ; [ os . Hazeldine , P . P . G . D . C ; R . J . Fynmore , P . G . S . of W . ; l . T . Brady , P . P . G . P . ; T . G . Grove-Snowden , P . P . G . ' . VV . ; George H . Chexfield , P . P . G . J . W . ; S . J . Chancellor , P . P . G . J . D . ; A . Spears , P . P . G . Org . ; F . Baker , P . P . G . S . W . ; Austin Gardner , P . P . G . D . ; W . Wood ,

P . G . J . W . ; Rev . | . Branfill Harrison , P . P . G . Chap . ; H . M . Baker , P . G . ' S . D .: J . Lucas Worship , P . S . G . VV . ; F . J . Searle , P . G . S . D . ; P . T . Syree , P . P . G . Chap . ; George Page , P . P . G . S . D . ; R . Boughton-Smith , P . P . G . S . D . ; lohn Bourdeaux , P . P . G . D . ; John Storey , P . P .

G . S . of VV . ; VV . Seaman , P . G . D . C . ; R . J . Lmmerson , P . P . G . J . W .. B . Complana , P . P . G . J . W . ; Edward Coste , P . P . D . C ; Alfred Avery , P . P . G . R . ; E . Danton , P . P . G . P . ; D . M . Paget , P . P . G . D . ; A . P . Atkin , P . P . G . Reg . ; 'Thomas Asher , P . P . G . Reg . ; A . Ralph , P . P . G . Reg . ; J . V . Eve , P . G . A . D . C ; Fredk . Binckes , P . G . S ., and others .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Somerset.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF SOMERSET .

The annual Provincial Grand Lodge of the Province of Somerset was held on Wednesday , the 19 th , at the Townhall Burnham , under the bannerof the Rural Philanthropic Lodge , No . 291 , Highbridge . The fixture , we believe , was made as a compliment to the D . P . G . M ., Bro . R . C . Else ( who was initiated into Freemasonry in the Highbridge to the

Lodge ) , and having just been appointed dignified office of Grand Deacon of England , it was determined to present him on this occasion with a suit of Grand Lodge clothin" , which had been purchased by the joint contributions of all the lodses in the Province . I he attendance of Present and Past Provincial Grand Officers and brethren was verv large , all the lodges in the Province being represented , and included the following : —The M . W . Bro . the Earl of Carnarvon , Pro . Grand Master of England ,

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Somerset.

Provincial Grand Master ; W . Bro . R . C . Else , G . D . of England , D . P . G . M . ; Colonel Adair ; the R . W . P . P . G . M . ; Capt . Long , P . P . S . G . W . ; Bro . C . L . F . Edwards , P . P . J . G . D . ; Bro . Edmund White , P . P . S G . W ., and many others . Highbridge Lodge ( No . 291 ) , was represented by Bros . H . M . Kemmis , l . P . M . ; C . Lucette , S . W ., W . M . elect ; H . VV . Batten , P . P . G . D . C . Treasurer , ; Rev . ] . C . Lyons , Chaplain ; John Burnett , P . M ., R . Brodie ,

P . M ., and most of the brethren . The Lodge of Agriculture , No . 1199 ( Congresbury ) , was represented by Bros . Edgar Thatcher , VV . M . ; C . L . F . Edwards , Treasurer ( who also represented the Coleridge Lodge , No . 1750 , Clevedon ) ; A . Knowles , W . Reece , J . E . Waddon , and other brethren . St . Kew , No . 1222 , Weston-super-Mare , was represented by Bros . G . Yates , W . M . ; W . E . Perrett , l ' un ., I . P . M .: Felix Thomas , Treasurer ; Sidney Lewis , P . M .

P . P . G . Swd . B ., Secretary ; B . Cox , P . M ., P . P . G . Purst . ; G . Glossop . P . M ., G . H . Perrett and J . Tytherleigh , Stewards ; S . Norton , W . E . Perrett , G . H . Perrett , J . E . Hughes , H . J . Selh ' ck , VV . Fisher , W . H . Edwards . The roll of lodges having been called and the minutes read , Bro . E . TURNER PAVNE , P . G . Treas ., submitted his accounts , showing a balance in favour of the province of J ( . ' IIG os . 6 d . 'The great increase in the number of lodges largely accounted , he said , for the improved position of Prov . Grand Lodse . Opening his accounts at random at

the year 1 SG 0 , he found that the returns from the lodges in that twelvemonth" amounted to £$ S ; in the past year they produced £ 113 is . They had £ 450 invested in Consols as a nest egg . The accounts were passed upon the motion of Bro . Radway , P . S . G . W . All the offices having been declared vacant , Bro . Payne was re-elected P . G . Treasurer by acclamation , the P . G . M . expressing his own great satisfaction that the choice of the province had again fallen upon one whose tried loyalty to the Craft was undoubted . Bro . Payne , in acknowledgment , mentioned that he had filled the office for twenty-two

years . The officers for the ensuing year were then invested as follows : — Bros . John Burnett , P . M . 291 Prov . G . S . W . „ | . Stuart Boyd , P . M . 97 G ... Prov . G . J . W . „ " Rev . C . J . Anderson , 135 Prov . G . Chap . „ Rev . A . G . How , VV . M . 53 ... Prov . G . A . C . „ E . Turner Payne , P . M . 53 ... Prov . G . Treas . „ | . W . Evans , P . M . 129 G Prov . G . Reg . „ j . C . Hunt , P . M . 135 Prov . G . Sec . „ G . H . Pollard , P . M . 261 Prov . G . S . D . „ N . Crisp , P . M . 1 S 33 Prov . G . J . D . „ Edward Howell , 329 Prov . G . S . of VV .

„ W . E . Perrett , P . M . 1222 ... Prov . G D . of C „ 1 . Brock , P . M . 772 Prov . G . A . D . C „ " F . Bendle , P . M . 973 Prov . G . Swd . B „ James > . Treliving , P . M . 135 ... Prov . G . Org . „ W . Minns , P . M . 1755 Prov . G . Purs . ., J . Grabham , P . M . 11 S 7 Prov . G . A . Purs . „ \ V . Woodward , 291 Prov . G . Tyler . „ A . J . Salter , 53 ... Prov . G . A . Tyler

„ E . W . Coombs , S 14 , A . Holmes , ~ \ " l' ; , eldcm ' S ' ' " ^ l ! ' \ Prov . G . Stwds . ,, 2 S 5 , A . Knowles , Sec . 1199 , R . B . ( „ Wybrants , W . M . 437 J ¦ In investing Bro . Woodward , the Tyler , the P . G . M . observed that he had exercised that office for more than the lifetime of a whole generation , with the approval , good will , respect and regard of his brethren in the province .

A report was read from the Charity Organisation Committee , the most interesting statements in which were that the organisation continued to work most satisfactorily , and that every case taken in hand had been carried . The next subject discussed was the amount of quarterages to Grand Lodge , and it was introduced by the P . G . M . He explained that at the Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge in June last , it was proposed for the

purpose of maintaining and extending the Fund or Benevolence , thatall members of London lodges should pay is . Gd . per quarter to the fund instead of is ., and that the members of country lodges should pay gd . instead of 6 d . The consideration of the subject was deferred in order that the opinion of the Provincial Grand Lodges might be ascertained . His lordship remarked that the Lodge of Benevolence had already dispensed about £ 5000 a year , and

he doubted whether it was necessary or desirable to increase very largely the votes , which were calculated upon a very liberal basis . They in Somerset must consider what were their own interests in the matter . They had established a very valuable body , the Charity Organisation Committee , and the tendency of all their ivork was to an increase of expenditure . Such being the case they should be a little chary of increasing these quarterages . They

had interests nearer home , and he did not think it right that they should burden themselves with an additional payment unless the case was abundantly clear , and one of strong necessity . The D . P . G . M . asked why the Lodge of Benevolence wanted more money now than it had done for years past ? It must either be that the grants were increased in number and size , or that the character of the Masonic body was

altering , that they had amongst them a more needy class of men than they had years ago . He questioned whether many of the private lodges could afford to pay increased quarterages . Bro . KAUWAY observed that from March , ISSI , to June of the present vear , the Lodge of Benevolence had dispensed £ 12 , 795 , in suc " grants as these , two of £ 250 , three of . £ 200 , five of £ 150 , twelve of £ 100 , and so on .

They should be more cautious in making the grants . He moved that in the opinion of the Province of Somerset it was inexpedient to increase the quarterages at present paid to Grand Lodge . Bro . B . Cox seconded the motion , which was unanimously agreed to . The D . P . G . M . proposed "That the sum of £ 20 be contributed by the Prov . Grand Lodge to the Masonic Memorial Fund now being raised by the W . M . and brethren of Lodge 1222 for the purpose of assisting in completing the

structure of the West of England Sanatorium , the foundation-stone of which was laid by the R . W . P . G . M . eleven years ago . " An objection , he said , might be taken by some that this was not strictly a Masonic work , but when he reminded the brethren that eleven years ago the Prov . Grand Master of Somerset laid the foundation-stone of that splendid charitable institution , he thought it became them , as good Masons , to do all they possibly could to assist in the erection of the superstructure . Bro . Dr . HUGHES seconded the resolution .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Somerset.

The P . G . M ., in putting the motion , said that so far as his own opinion went , he thought it was a proper object to which the proposed £ 20 might be devoted . While he always felt that the funds of the Craft should be applied , strictly speaking , to Craft objects , he did not think they must be too narrow in their interpretation of those objects , and in a great work of charity and benevolence , such as this , especially when it was in the county with which they were all connected , it was reasonable and right that the sum should be voted .

1 he motion was then put and carried unanimously . Bro . YATES , W . M . of St . Kew , on behalf of the brethren of that lodge , briefly thanked the D . P . G . M . for proposing the handsome donation , and the members of Prov . Grand Lodge for unanimously voting it . He also took occasion to thank those brethren who had sent individual

donations to the object . He hoped , he said , to raise jCtoo ( a great part of which was already forthcoming ) to be spent in fitting up a ward in the Sanatorium to be called the Freemasons' Ward , thus permanently and practically associating the Masonic body with a great county institution .

The P . G . M . and the D . P . G . M . were appointed joint trustees , with Col . Adair , of the funds and property of the province , the vacancies being caused by the deaths of Bros . C . J . Vigne and Dr . Falconer . The Prov . Grand Lodge having by acclamation voted fifteen guineas for the purchase of a jewel of office for presentation to Bro . Else , D . P . G . M ., on his appointment as Grand Deacon .

The P . G . M ., addressing Bro . Else as his " excellent and respected , and long proved D . P . G . M ., " said it gave him the most unfeigned pleasure to communicate the resolution which had just been passed oy acclamation . But his pleasing duty did not end there . He had been requ ested , and he esteemed it as much honour as pleasure , to offer for his ( Bro . Else's ) acceptance a suit of Grand Lodge clothing , a proof of how much the province felt the

honour which H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , the Grand Master of England , had been pleased to confer upon him . It was , and he thought it should be accepted as a ° reat honour , for he might mention that in forming his list of Grand Officers for the year , His Royal Highness went into the matter with great minuteness , and took some trouble and pains upon this subject , as they all knew he did in so many other matters . For himself , he wished to say how

great were his obligations to Bro . Else during the time he had filled the office of D . P . G . M .. He also wished to convey what lie was sure was the unanimous feeling of every lodge in the province—how much they owed to him for his indefatigable labour , his conciliatory temper , his tact and patience , for the time he had devoted , for the sacrifice of other occupations , for all , in fact , that he had done for many years for the province and for every lodge in the

province . 1 he clothing , which he trusted be would long wear , was the gift of every lodge in the province . Every lodge had contributed an equal sum , but he understood that they had accompanied their contributions with separate letters , and that while expressing their feeling in different terms , there was but one single conclusion running through the whole , viz ., of great pleasure at the honour which rlis Royal Highness had conferred upon him , and their earnest

and sincere hope that he might live long to wear the clothing , and to be among them and render many more services than he had already given . If anything could increase their satisfaction it would be the recollection that he had recently passed through a long and severe illness , and that the Great Architect of the Universe had been pleased to restore him to health , to those who valued him , respected him , and whose hope it was that he might long be amongst them .

Ihe D . P . G . M ., who was heartily cheered on rising to return thanks , expressed his obligations to the P . G . M . for placing him on the list of nominations for Grand office , and his gratitude that H . R . H . the Grand Master had been pleased to sanction the appointment . He regarded the honour in a two-fold light , first as a personal distinction to himself , and secondly as a great compliment to the province , and as an evidence that the true work of the

brethren of the province was appreciated by H . R . H . the Grand Master , as well as by their own P . G . M . He sincerely thanked Prov . Grand Lodge for the jewel of office which the members had been so good as to vote to him ; and he asked all the lodges in the province to accept his heartfelt thanks for the magnificent suit of Grand Lodge clothing which they had so kindly presented to him , and if anything could add to the pleasure with which he

received it , it would be the graceful , eloquent , but too flattering language addressed to him by the P . G . M . He trusted that in the future he should be able , by his Masonic work and labour , to prove himself more worthy of the kindness he had received at the hands of his brethren . The Rev . C . G . ANDERSON , P . G . C ., proposed a resolution affirming the desirability of granting a patent to the

Grand Officers of the Province on their appointment , but on the suggestion of the D . P . G . M . it was withdrawn , on the ground that it somewhat entrenched upon the prerogative of the P . G . M . Lord CARNARVON promised to consider the matter , remarking that the request was one which he thought

might be granted . Bro . WOOUFOKDE had a notice on the paper to propose a grant of fifteen guineas to Bro . C L . F . Edwards towards the 1 xpenses incurred by the publication of the " Masonic Calendar , " but , at the request of Bro . Edwards , he withdrew it .

Ihe P . G . M . thought the province was under very great obligation to Bro . Edwards for the work he bad undertaken , since it was of great utility to the whole province . Bro . ASH LEV suggested that Prov . Grand Lodge itself should undertake the work .

Bro . Ai . i'RED PRATT brought forward a resolution with the view of forming a Prov . Grand Lodge Charity Fund , but it was ruled to be " ultra vires , " and was withdrawn . Bro . Pratt mentioned that from 1875 to 1 SS 1 inclusive , the province had given £ 1033 to the Boys' School ; £ 1041 to the Girls' School ; and £ 525 to the Benevolent Institution , making an average annual grant of £ 375 . On the other

side there had been spent per annum on five boys from the province £ 225 ; seven girls , £ 280 ; and the men and women , £ b 2 , making a total of £ 577 , as against the donations of £ 375 . Before closing the lodge , the P . G . M . referred in feeling terms to the deaths of two distinguished members of Prov . Grand Lodge , Bros . General Munbee and Major Vaughan