Provincial Grand Lodge Of West Lancashire.

Hart , P . P . G . D . C ; W . Wainman Cottam , P . P . G . S . of W . ; B . Taylor , P . P . G . T . East Lancashire ; T . Salter , P . f . G . O . ; S . E . Ibbs , P . P . G . S . B . ; W . Longbottom , P . P . G . A . P . ; John Hayes , P . P . G . S . B . ; E . C . Cooler , P . P . G . S . B . ; W . F . Thomson , P . P . G . S . D . ; J . P . Bryan , P . P . G . O . ; C D . Mortimer , P . P . G . O . Berks and Bucks ; D . W . Finney , P . P . G . D . C ; Thomas Milligan , P . P . G . J . D . ; W . Whiteside

P . P . G . S . B . ; H . Bagat , P . P . G . S . of W . ; Henry Gardner , P . P . G . S . B . ; H . Crosby , P . P . G . S . B . ; G . Broadbridge , P . P . G . D . C ; John Pemberton , P . P . G . S . of W . ; I . B . Mackenzie , P . P . G . S . D . ; J . S . Beauford , P . P . G . J . W . ; Henry Firth , P . P . G . J . D . ; Dr . Henry Pitts , P . P . G . S . B . ; Thomas Evans , P . P . G . S . D . ; Dr . J . Kellett Smith , P . P . G . Registrar ; John Walley , P . P . G . D . D . C ; and others .

Prov . G . Lodge having been opened , the roll of lodges in the province was read , Jand the printed minutes of the last Provincial Grand Lodge meeting were taken as read , and on being put for confirmation were unanimousl y agreed to . The accounts of the Treasurer , Bro . R . Foote , which were also taken as read , were passed . The receipts for the year amounted to £ 3257 2 s . 6 d ., including a balance from last year of £ 2506 2 s . gd . The fees received

from Provincial Grand Officers amounted to £ 31 8 s . ; fees and contributions from lodges for the Charity Fund , £ 164 25 . ; Provincial Grand Lodge Fund , . £ 245 15 s . 3 d . ; and Fund of Benevolence , £ 245 15 s . 3 d . —total , £ 655 12 s . 6 d . The total expenditure of Prov . Grand Lodge for the year amounted to £ 1356 5 s . iod ., leaving a balance to be carried over of ^ 1900 16 s . 8 d . Of this ^ 21 is . iod . stands to the credit of the Charity Fund , against £ 66 19 s . iod . last year ; ^ 115 19 s . 6 d . to the credit of the

Provincial Grand Lodge Fund , against £ 510 4 s . 4 d . last year , and £ 1763 15 s . 4 d . ' to the credit of the Fund of Benevolence , against £ 1928 18 s . 7 d . The expenditure during the year included grants of £ 105 each out of the Charity Fund to the Hamer Benevolent Institution and the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls ; and grants of £ 290 from the Fund of Benevolence to 15 widows of deceased Masons and four distressed brethren , whilst £ 210 was granted from the Provincial Grand Lodge Fund to the

West Lancashire Educational Institution . The other items of expenditure comprised £ 100 salary of the Prov . Grand Secretary , and £ 84 8 s . nd ., Prov . Grand Secretary ' s travelling expenses . Bro . T . FORRESTER , P . P . G . D ., having proposed , and Bro . BARROW , P . G . D ., seconded , the re-election of Bro . R . Foote as Prov . G . Treasurer . Bro . Dr . J . KELLETT SMITH , P . P . G . Reg , said he rose , with some

regret , to propose another brother , but he thought they had very good reasons for adopting his proposition . The Provincial Grand Treasurership was an honorary office , and the only one the brethren had it in their power to confer . He ( Bro . Smith ) thought that the position of Treasurer should be changed every year , and as he had had the pleasure of proposing Bro . Toole last year , he begged to propose Bro . R . A . Davis , P . M . 1380—as Provincial Grand Treasurer for the ensuing year . ( Applause . )

Bro . R . MARTIN , P . P . G . Treas ., said he had great pleasure in seconding the amendment , which was put and carried by an overwhelming majority , and Bro . DAVIES acknowledged the compliment in a very appropriate speech . The Prov . Grand Master invested as his officers for the year

Bro . S . G . Sinclair , 32 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . W . „ M . W . Peace , 178 ... ... ... Prov . G . J . W . „ Rev . W . H . Marsden , 1070 ... ... Prov . G . Chap . „ R . A . Davies , 1380 ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . ,, D . D . Costine , 216 ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg .

„ W . Goodacre , 155 ( re-appointed ) ... ... Prov . G . Sec , „ Charles Barry , 680 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . D . „ W . T . Smith ... ... ... ... Prov . G . S . D . „ T . Whitehead , 241 ... ... ... Prov . G . J . D .

„ Spencer Wallshead , 1250 ... ... ... Prov . G . J . D . „ D . Greenall , 1250 ... ... ... Prov . G . J . D . „ Thos . Nevett , 11 3 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . of W . „ J . B . Andrew , 155 8 ... ... ... Prov . G . D . of C .

„ S . D . M'Kellan , 1490 ... ... ... frov . U . U . U . otO . „ C . C . Wilson , 8 97 ... ... ... Prov . G . A . D . ofC . „ J . Lawrence , 1032 ... .,, ... Prov . G . Swd . Br . „ J . Wray , 1476 ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br . „ A . D . Hesketh , 1182 ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br , ,. I . T . Greaves , 113 .,. ... ... Prov . G . Org .

„ A . Hall , 1061 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . A . Sec . „ J . Mossop , 1715 ... ... ... Prov . G . Purst ! „ H . Catterall , 986 ... ... ... Prov . G . A . Purst , „ J . Worsley , 314 ... ... ... T ,, Henry Tames , 20 3 ... ... ... I

„ C . P . Richards , 1021 ... ... ... In / .Cl , ^ J . C . Mather , 1345 [ - Prov . G . Stwds . „ T . R . Bottomley , 16 75 ... „ E . Johnstone , 1756 ... .,, ,.. j

„ P . Ball ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler . „ W . H . Ball ... ... ... ... Prov . G . A . Tyler . Bro . GOODACRE , P . G . Sec , in his usual annual report , stated that the

condition of Freemasonry in the province was very satisfactory , During the past year three new lodges had been consecrated . The initiations during the same period numbered 573 , against 506 in the previous year , and the number of subscribing members was now 4790 , as compared with 4608 . He would remind the brethren of the desirability of exercising the greatest care against the admission of unworthy men into the Order , as the character of

the candidates conduced to the real welfare of Masonry much more than mere numbers . He further referred in terms of congratulation to the fact that proficiency in the working of the various lodges had been maintained , and , with the view of still further enhancing the value of their ritual , he , with the Prov . Grand Master's consent , would arrange to have meetings in different centres for instruction , thus assisting in bringing about uniformity

in all essentials . Referring to the Provincial Grand Lodge of Benevolence , he said that a Committee , consisting of all the present Prov . Grand Officers and a representative from each lodge , was last year entrusted with the arrangement of that fund . As a result of the work of that Committee , 15 petitioners had been assisted since the last meeting- of the Provincial Grand

Lodge , involving an expenditure of £ 215 . The local Masonic Charities were in a prosperous condition . The Educational Institution of the province and the Hamer Fund had both an income considerably in excess of former years , and the Alpass Benevolent Fund had been successful beyond the most sanguine anticipations . These Institutions were all engaged in

the highest Masonic work—that of dispensing assistance to indigent brethren , bereaved widows , and helpless orphans . The Educational Institution had 168 boys and girls participating in its benefits , at a cost of £ 1344 per annum . The Hamer Fund had paid £ 32 in annuities to distressed brethren ; whilst the Alpass Institution , at its first election on the 15 th inst .,

Provincial Grand Lodge Of West Lancashire.

had placed three annuitants on its foundation , at an annual cost of £ 66 . The province had now on the foundation of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , in London , five old men and four widows receiving annuities amounting to ^ 328 . In the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys at Woodgreen there were ten boys from the province , costing £ 450 a year , and eight girls at Croydon involving an expenditure of £ 208 . The Stewards from the province at the Charity Festivals in London had contributed £ 509 during the year . "

lhe PROV . GRAND MASTER said he was extremely pleased at the very satisfactory report which the P . G . S . had given as to the state of the province . From what he had seen , he was convinced that when he appointed Bro . Goodacre to the very important office of Grand Secretary of the province he did right . ( Hear , hear , and applause . ) Bro . Goodacre , in his report , had given some very interesting statistics , which had not , he thoughtbeen brought

, before the province before , and he hoped that when the report came into the hands of the brethren they would study it and see what they were doing in the way of Charity . ( Hear , hear . ) They all knew pretty well what thev were doing with their own local Charities ; but he thoug ht it was hidden from them that the amount they were receiving from the London Charities represented the large sum of £ 1058 per annum , expended on their old men and

women and children in London . They had spent on their own local education £ 13 . 14 during the past year ; they paid £ 32 more in annuities to distressed brethren , and had placed three annuitants on the foundation of the Orphans' Institution . They were thus receiving a very near equivalent from the London Charities . ( Hear , hear . ) The report showed that they were doing their duty by themselves , and also by the other great Charities in London—supporting them as they helped the provinces . ( Hear , hear . )

There was only one other word he had to say with regard to the suggestions made by the P . G . S . about arranging meetings in different centres for the purpose of working Degrees and installation ceremonies , and in that way bringing about uniformity in all essentials . He only hoped it would be taken up , and that they would by degrees bring all the province into one uniform mode of work . ( Hear , hear . ) He was extremely obliged for the admirable report that had been read . ( Hear , hear , and applause . )

On the motion of Bro . J . KELLETT SMITH , P . P . G . R ., seconded by Bro . E . PIERPOINT , P . P . G . J . W ., it was resolved " That the allowance to the P . G . Secretary be increased to £ 250 per annum , to include travelling expenses which may be incurred in visitinrjr the lodges of the nrovince . "

It was proposed by Bro . T . FORRESTER , P . P . G . D ., seconded by Bro . PIERPOINT , and unanimously resolved , " That the sum of 200 guineas be voted from the Provincial Grand Lodge Fund of Benevolence in aid of the West Lancashire Alpass Benevolent Institution for Widows of Freemasons of the Province . "

It was also unanimously agreed , on the motion of Bro . J . HOULDING , P . P . G . R ., seconded by Bro . T . H . W . WALKKR , P . M . 1675 , that 200 guineas should be voted in aid of the Hamer Benevolent Fund out of the Provincial Grand Lodge Charity funds .

The sum of 200 guineas was also voted to the West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution , on the motion of Bro . R . MARTIN ; and a similar sum , on the proposition of Bro . R . WYLIE , P . P . G . S . W ., seconded by Bro PIERPOINT , was granted to the Widows' Fund of the Royal Benevolent Institution in London .

Charity jewels having been given by the ] P . G . M . to Bros . E . Pierpoint , P . P . G . W . ; T . H . W . Walker , P . M . 1675 ; J . P . M'Arthur , P . P . G . J . W . ; J . Slyman , and H . Marshall , and the 13 th annual report of the Hamer Benevolent Fund , submitted by Bro . H . H . SMITH and adopted , the Provincial Grand Lodge was closed .

Provincial Grand Lodge Op Leicester Shire And Rutland.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OP LEICESTER SHIRE AND RUTLAND .

The annual meeting and general communication of Freemasons of the Province of Leicestershire and Rutland was held at Freemasons' Hall , Haltord-street , Leicester , on Tuesday , the 19 th inst ., under the presidency of Bro . the Earl Ferrers , R . W . P . G . M . The lodge under the auspices of which the meeting was held was the Golden Fleece , No . 2081 . There was a very large attendance of brethren , and , on the roll being called , every lodge was found to be duly represented . Among those present were the

following present and past Provincial Grand Officers : Bros . W . Kelly , R . W . P . P . G . M . ; S . S . Partridge , D . P . G . M . ; . F . J . Baines . P . C S . W . ; J . G . F . Richardson , P . G . J . W . ; Rev . W . R . Hurd , P . G . C ; R . Waite , P . G . Treas . ; L . P . Chamberlain , P . G . Reg . ; Rev . C . Henton Wood , P . G . Sec . ; J . Hassail , P . G . D . ; J . Fletcher , P . G . S . of AW . ; J . Young , P . G . D . C ; R . Rowley , P . G . A . D . C ; J . D . Harris , P . G . S . B . ; W . H . Barrow , Mus . Bac , P . G . Org . ; C . Oliver , P . G . Std . Br . ; J . H . Marshall and W . J . Freer , P . G . Stwds . ; T . Dunn , P . G . Tyler ; Rev . J . Denton , P . P . G . W . ; W . C . Crofts , P . P . G . W . ; M . J . Walker , P . P . G . W . ; Rev . J . Bird , P . P . G . C . j Rev . S . W . Wiinr . P . P . G . C .: C . C . Woodcock . P . P . G . R .

C S . Preston , P . P . G . R . ; T . Wright , P P . G . R . ; D . Watson , P . P . G . S . D . ; W . A . Musson , P . P . G . S . D . ; J . Metcalfe , P . P . G . S . of W . ; W . Keep , P . P . G . S . B . ; B . A . Smith , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; T . B . Saxion , P . P . G . O . ; C J . Wilkinson , P . P . G . P . ; and R . L . Gibson , P . P . G . P . ; also Bros . F . Wike , W . M . 279 ; E . Hetvsome , W . M . 523 ; E . Stmpkin , W . M . 779 ; J . H . Marshall , W . M . 1007 ; J . H . Thompson , W . M . 1265 ; C F . Massie , W . M . 1330 ; J . E . Beazeley , W . M . 1391 ; W . J . Freer , W . M . 1560 Wilmer 2028 Steeds

; F . B . , W . M . ; E . P . , W . M . 2081 ; R . S . Clifford , S . W . 1007 ; W . H . Goodwin , S . W . 1265 ; Samuel Knight , S . W . 1391 ; W . H . Lead , S . W . 2081 ; J . B . Waring , J . W . 2081 ; Rev . Selwyn C Freer , Chap . 1560 ; J . L . West , Sec . 2081 ; G . C Oliver , Sec . 1007 ; and many others . After the usual preliminaries the lodge was opened in due form , and the minutes of the preceding annual meeting and of a lod ge of emergency were confirmed ,

Reports from the Provincial Committee of General Purposes and the Provincial Charity Committee were then read , submitted , and adopted . The former , after referring at some length to the revised code of bye-laws of Provincial Grand Lodge , which had been adopted during the past year , and which had been highly spoken of in various quarters , and in particular as being selected to form the basis of a . proposed revision of the bye-laws of a District Grand Lodge in South Africacalled special attention to the

, practice of initiating candidates who do not reside in the place where the lodge is held , which appeared to be on the increase . The Committee pointed out that it was incumbent on the Masters of lodges in all such case ' s to exercise great caution and to cause minute enquiries to be made as to the reasons for a candidate thus presenting hirr . sell in a place where he does

not reside , for which purpose Provincial Grand Lodge had provided printed forms of letters of enquiry for use in the province . The report , after speaking favourably of the position and progress of Freemasonry in the province , and also dealing with some topics of local interest , concluded with suitable notice of the losses sustained by the province by the deaths of several brethren who had held office in Provincial Grand Lodge . The Charity Com-