Knights Templar.

George Harrison , Prov . G . Dir . Cers . ; T . Tycr , Prov . G . Almoner ; G . F . Smith , Prov . G . Expert ; and J . Boor , Prov . G . Standard Bearer . Sir Knight John Dyer , E . G ., Temple Cressing , was unanimously elected Prov . G . Treasurer , and T . A ' esper , P . E . C . Mount Calvary , Prov . G . Equerry . The meeting was favoured with the presence and kind assistance of The Eminent Sir Knights Sir Patrick McCokjuhouti ,

Grand Chancellor , and AV . Tinkler , G . V . C . of England . After the collection of alms , the Provincial Grand Conclave , as also the Harcourt Encampment , were closed with the usual solemnities , and the numerous assemblage adjourned to the banquet room at the Red Lion Hotel , where an excellent repast was provided , after which the usual loyal toasts were proposed aud responded to , concluding with that of " All poor and distressed Knights Templar .

LANCASHIRE . PROYINCIATJ GRAND CONCIAA ' E . The annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Conclave was holden at Freemasons' Hall , Cooper Street , Manchester , under the auspices of the Jerusalem Encampment , on Thursday , thc 29 th ulfc ., at one o ' clock . The Jerusalem Encampment was opened in form and with

prayer at twelve o ' clock , and a candidate installed into the Oreler , by the Eminent Commander , Sir Knight R . AI . D . Smith , assisted by Sir Knight AVright , A ' ery Eminent Deputy Provincial Grand Commander . The Provincial Grand Officers having been summoned , they entered the Conclave , and were received under a arch of steel , being marshalled by Sir Knights Teverdale , Croxton , and BroadburyDirectors of Cerinoniesand took their seats

accord-, , ing to their respective rank . The A ' ery Eminent Provincial Grand Commander , Sir Knight A . H . Royds opened the Provincial Grand Conclave in ample form . The Roll of Provincial Grand Officers was called over , and letters of apology received from absent Sir Knights , who were unavoidably prevented from attending . The Treasurer ' s account for the past year , having been

verified by Sir Knights Chadwick aud Smith , were passed and allowed . Sir Knight James Arthur Birch was re-elected Treasurer ; and Frater AVilliam Dawson re-elected Equerry , and they along with the newly appointed officers were invested in the followina order : — Sir Knights AA' . Birch , Prov . G . Prior . Smith ProvGSub Prior

„ ., , . . . „ „ Rev . F . Radley Prov . G . Prelate . „ „ H . Fig-gins , Prov . G . Sub Prelate . AV . H . Pratt Prov . G . 1 st Captain . „ „ H . Hall , Prov . G . 2 nd Captain . „ „ G . P . Brockbank , ... Prov . G . Chancellor .

„ „ r . II . AAineler , Prov . G . A'icc-Chancellor . „ „ John Chadwick , Prov . G . Registrar . „ „ Bradbury , Prov . G . Chamberlain . „ ,, J . AA ' atson , jun ., ... Prov . G . Hospitaller . „ „ AA ' . Asbwortii , Prov . G . Dir . of Cers . „ „ AI . H . Hoiikins , ... Prov . G . Asst . Dir . of Cers . „ J . W . Forbes , Prov . G . Supt . of Works . „ „ John Fletcher , Prov . G . Almoner .

., „ AA ' . Alorriss , Prov . G . Warden of Reg . „ „ C H . Bayley , Prov . G . 1 st Expert . „ „ F . It . AVilliams , Prov . G . 2 nd Expert . „ „ John AA'eeker , Prov . G . 1 st . S . Bearer . „ „ John Holyroyd , Pvov . G . 2 nd . S . Bearer . „ „ W . G . Deeley . Prov . G . 1 st Aide-de-Camp „ „ Harry Create l'vov . G . 2 ndAide-de-Ctirap „ „ AA' . Mayan , Prov . G . 1 st Capt . of Lines

„ „ G . Hai'dm . 'in , Prov . G . 2 nd Capt of Lines „ „ John Cryer , Prov . G . 1 st . Herald . „ „ T . Hollingsworth , ... Prov . G . 2 nd Herald „ „ II . Goodwin , Prov . G . Organist . „ „ John Barker Prov . G . Sword Bearer . „ „ Richard Ingham , ... Prov . G . Banner Bearer The Committee of General Purposes was then appointed . The Almoners collected the offerings of the Knights . And the sum of £ 5 was voted from the funds in aid of a Sir Knight . The next meeting of the Provincial Grand Conclave , was

Knights Templar.

fixed to be held afc Rochdale , under the auspices of the Albert Encampment . A code of bye-laws for the regulation of the affairs of the Province was considered and agreed to , subject to a few verbal corrections . The Provincial Grand Chancellor ' s report on the condition of the Order iu the Province was next read and received . The Provincial Grand Commander presented a new set of

books to the Eminent Commander of the Jerusalem Encampment , anel received the best thanks of the members . The Provincial Grand Commander presented Sir Knight AV . H . AVright with a beautifully illuminated patent of office on his appointment to the office of Provincial Grand Deputy Commander for Lancashire , and complimented him upon the able and efficient manner in which he had filled that office since his nomination thereto .

Several of the Grand Ofiicers of England were present ; amongst the number wo may name the respected Vice-Chancellor of the Order , Sir Knight AA ' . Tinkler . The Provincial Conclave was closed at four o ' clock , when the Provincial Grand Officers retired , and the Jerusalem Encampment was forthwith closed . Banquet was celebrated at the conclusion of business at Freemasons' Hall , under tbe presidency of Sir Knight A . H . Royds , Prov . G . Commander . The customary toasts were proposed aucl responded .

The Mark Degree In England.

THE MARK DEGREE IN ENGLAND .

We intend to give in detail a report of tire proceedings at a Conference of Delegates from fche Grand Lodge of Scotland , the Grand Chapter of Scotland , the Grand Chapter of Ireland , and the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of England , <& c , on the subject of the position of the Mark Degree in England , held at the Library

of . Freemasons' Hall , London , on Monday , April 3 rd , 1871 . There Avere present Bro . Earl Percy , M . P ., ( Prov . Grand AVarden Grand Craft Lodge of England , and

Dep . Grand Alark Master ) , in tho Chair , Bros . AVilliam Hay and Andrew Kerr , representing the Grand Lodge of Scotland ; Bros . L . Mackersy , G . S . E . ; AViiHam Alann , G . S . N ., and Thomas Entwistle , Prov . G . Mark Master of Lancashire , S-C , representing the Grand Chapter of Scotland ; Bros , the Eev . G . E . Portal , M . W . G . M ., and

Frederick Binckes , G . Sec ., representing the Grand Lodgo of Mark Masters Masons of England . The proceedings Avere opened by Bro . P . Binckes , who said : As thc official of the Grand Lodge through whose representations this Conference has been brought about , acting under the instructions of the M . W . Bro . Rev . G . R . Portalits head , I have had , during the past feAv years ,

, various interviews with fche bodies more or less concerned Avith the interests of the Mark Degree , succeeding afc length in obtaining consent to a Conference of representatives of all the Supreme Jurisdictions in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland , by whom the Mark Degree was in any shape or to any extent recognised . It was made a , sine qua , non by certain of the

consenting bodies that brethren should be invited to the Conference representing Masonic jurisdictions by whom tbe Mark Degree ivas not worked , for tlie purposes of informing themselves on the points under discussion , holding , as ifc Avere , a watching brief , and taking no active parfc in the deliberations . After some considerable correspondence with a view to elicit the feelings and views of the various brethren interested , this day the 3 rd of April , Avas fixed as a suitable one on Avhich the Conference should be held ; and I am pleased to find