Berkshire.

BERKSHIRE .

W EDNESDAY , the eighteenth day of July , in the closing year of the century , will be a red-letter daj in the Masonic records of Berkshire . Never in the history of the Province—excepting only the installation of the late lamented Duke of Clarence by his father , the revered Grand Master of the Order—has there been such a numerous and

influential gathering of members of the Craft in this county as that which took place at Lockinge , on the kind invitation of Lord Wantage , V . C ., the present Provincial Grand Master . It was a thouehtful and pleasing act on the part of the noble lord to ask his Masonic Brethren to visit him in

the charming country home where Lady Wantage and himself happily pass a good portion of their time , and the large assemblage proved how much the opportunity of spending a few hours at Lockinge was appreciated : Those who had enjoyed the privilege of visiting this delightful demesne oh

previous occasions were only too glad to wend their way thither once more , while those who were strange to Lockinge were more than delighted with all they saw . Whether the visitors came Dy road or rail they had ample scope for convincing themselves that Lockinge is one of the best kept and

¦ most attractive estates in the country . From whichever point the fine old mansion is approached , it is by well-made roads , through rich pastures , or fields of broad dimensions bearing wonderful crops of corn which could scarcel y be equalled and certainly not surpassed on any other estate in

this part of England . The possession of practically an unlimited capital , the employment of machinery of the most modern and improved construction , and skilled labour directed by experienced heads of departments , have combined in producing at Lockinge what is really a model estate , noted

for the best of everything , cattle , sheep , and horses , as well as dead stock . Embosomed in a sheltered dip amidst shady and lovely surroundings is Lockinge House , full of art treasures , with the interesting Parish Church standing within a few yards of the dinirtg-room windows . Altogether it

would be difficult to find a more typical example of the home of an English nobleman , Lord Wantage said he was anxious to see the Masons in his own home , and the large muster of the Brethren certainly showed that the feeling was reciprocal .

A special train from Paddington , Reading , and Didcot took down a considerable portion of the visitors , but the members of some of the Lodges preferred , to drive the entire distance by road—in the case of Newbury nearly twenty miles—the route taken being via Shefford and through

Woolley ¦ estate , Mr . Wroughton ' s beautifully wooded deer park being passed , and a glimpse of the mansion being afforded . The weather was simply magnificent , and everything was seen under the full blaze of midsummer sunshine .

Most of the Brethren—some 300 in all—reached Lockinge about midday , and were cordially and hospitably received by Lord and Lady Wantage , whose kindness of manner much impressed the visitors generally .

The handsome saloon , the walls of which are hung with family portraits , had been fitted up for the purposes of the Provincial Grand Lodge , which was opened in due form by the Provincial Grand Master , Seated near his lordship were

Lord Addington Provincial Grand Master of Buckinghamshire , Bros . Bowen Deputy P . G . M . of that Province , j . M . McLeod Secretary to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , Fendick , Bevir , John W . Martin Provincial Grand

Secretary , the Mayor of Wallingford Bro . T . Pettit , Bro . Alderman Dyson of Windsor , Bro . H . DAlmaine of Oxford , Bro . Maurice Wheeler of Southampton formerly of Wantage , Bro . E . Margrett of Reading Provincial Charity Secretary ;

and other " venerable" members of the Craft , who did good suit and service to Masonry many years ago during the reign of the late Sir Daniel Gooch , of Great Western Railway and Atlantic cable fame .

Apologies for non-attendance through unavoidable circumstances had been received from Bros , the Earl of Jersey , Lord Onslow , W . W . B . Beach , M . P ., Canon Brownrigg , Canon Garry , Charles E . Keyser , E . Letchworth Grand Secretary , P . Colville Smith , W . G . Mount , M . P ., C . Stephens , E . Terry , F . R . W . Hedges , E . Prince , & c .

The Prov . G . Secretary first called over the roll of Lodges in the Province , when it appeared that all of them were well represented . The roll of the Provincial Grand Officers was also called , and excepting a few who had sent apologies , they responded to their names .

Berkshire.

The financial statement of the Prov . Grand Treasurer Bro . Charles Stephens ( who is staying in the Isle of Wight for the benefit ot his health ) was read by the Prov . G . bee , and was adopted on the motion of the Senior Grand W arden , seconded by Bro . Stephen Knight .

ihe Prov . G . Secretary then presented his report of the Lodges in the Province , which showed that the membership numbered 771 , of whom 200 are Past Masters- During the year 107 regular Lodges , and four Lodges of emergency had been held . Thirty-two Brethren had joined , and the initiations had numbered fifty .

Bro . Margrett Provincial Charity Secretary read the report of the Charity Committee , who acknowledged with gratitude the presentation of 1 , 000 votes by Bro . Keyser . ihis report was passed on the motion of the Deputy Prov . G . M ., seconded by Biro . Kirchhoffer .

On the proposal of the Prov . G . M ., seconded by the Deputy . Prov . G . M ., Bro- Margrett was unanimously nominated to represent the Province oh the Board of Management of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys .

The Deputy Prov . G . M . proposed in complimentary terms the re-election of Bro . Charles Stephens as Provincial Grand Treasurer , and expressed the regret which all the Brethren must feel that ill health prevented Bro . Stephens being present on the auspicious occasion . Bro . R . C . Mount

seconded the motion , referring to Bro . Stephens ' s long and valued services , and the election proved perfectly unanimous-The following Brethren were presented with Charity Jewels , Bars , and Ribbon : JEWELS : —Bro . E . Parfitt , Hope Lodge , No . 574 ; . Bro . W . B . Reed , Greyfriars Lodge , No .

' iioi ; Bro . Dryland Haslam jun ., Kendrick Lodge , No . 2043 ; Bro . W . Hickie , Downshire Lodge , No . 2437 , and Greyfriars Lodge , No . iioi ; Bro . Wm- A . Hardy , Victoria Lodge , No . 2671 . BARS : —Bro . C . E . Keyser ( 2 ) , Union Lodge , No .. 414 * Hope Lodge ; . No . 574 , and Aldermaston

Lodge , No . 2760 ; Bro . G . H . Morland , Abbey Lodge , No . 945 ; Bro . C . Batting , Ellington Lodge , No . 1566 ; Bro . E . Margrett , Aldermaston Lodge , No . 2760 ( and rosette as V . P . ) . TRI-COLOURED RIBBON-. —Brother W . G . C ' rombie , Hope Lodge , No . 574 ; Bro : E . C . Broquet , Victoria Lodge , No . 2671 .

The Provincial Grand Lodge Officers for the ensuing year were then appointed and invested , as follow : — Bro . A . G . Lacy 2460 .... Senior Warden W . W . Ridley 1101 - Junior Warden Eev . E . B . Adams 574 2760 ... Chaplain

Charles Stephens 414 - Treasurer G ; R . Thomas 1366 .... Registrar J ; W . Martin 414 .... Secretary C . Luker 1770 .... Senior Deacon W . E ; Kington 771 - Junior Deacon

D . N . Heron 2437 .... Superintendent of Wor H . W . Dunlop 414 - - - - Director 01 Ceremonies Dryland Haslam jun . 2043 - - - Assistant Dir . of Cers . Captain A . Lynden-Bell 1899 - - Sword Bearer C . H : Weeden 795 - - - - ) „ . , , ' W . G ; Curtis 1887 - - - - I stanaard Bearers

T . S . Cambridge 2760 - - - Organist Win . Andrews 209 - - - - Assittint Secretary A ,. G > Haines 1770 , .... Pursuivant W . G . Cronibie 574 - - - - Assistant Pursuivant W-. Keartbn 209 . - - . . \

C . H . Dodd 414 - - . . _ . Clarence Dodd 1887 - - - - f Stewards C . J . D . Andrews 1770 - - - I W . Hemmings 1101 - - - - 1 m , J . P . Stevens 2043 - - - - f Tvlers

-On the proposal of the Prov . G-M ., seconded by Bro . Margrett , the sum of £ 20 was voted from the Prov . Grand Lodge funds to the South African Relief Fund . Bro . Sydney Smith ably performed the duties of Director of Ceremonies throughout the proceedings .

The Lodge was closed in due form , and the Brethren adjourned to . the grounds and were photographed , Lord and Lady Wantage , Lord Addington , Mr . Loyd , M . P ., and Mrs . Loyd being seated in the centre of the group . This item in the day ' s programme being over , the whole party , including Lady Wantage and Mrs . Loyd , sat down to a splendid luncheon beneath a capacious marquee .

The catering was most complete , and a large quantity of magnificent fruit , grown in the Lockinge Gardens , was placed upon the tables , which were oramented by some valuable silver plate , including a massive flagon presented to Lord Wantage many years ago by his late father-in-law , Lord Overstone .

After luncheon , the noble Host , who presided , proposed in loyal terms the toast which took precedence on the list , that of the Queen and the Craft . The Prov . G . M . gave as the next toast the health of the-