Prov. G. Lodge North And East Yorkshire.

PROV . G. LODGE NORTH AND EAST YORKSHIRE .

THE Masonic Provinces of Yorkshire occupy a very prominent position in tho history of Freemasonry , owing partly to their present strength , and perhaps still more to their history aud antiquity . The fact that the earliest known meetings of Freemasons took place centuries

ago in the ancient capital of the county will always lend a colouring of interest to those who reverence what is antique , whilst the noble efforts in the cause of the Masonic Charities that have been made in the county of broad acres will go far to justify the existence of a society

that mig ht otherwise be regarded as somewhat of an anachronism . Some of the oldest Lodges now in existence were warranted in Yorkshire , and in both Provinces there are several of theso bodies that have celebrated their hundredth anniversary . In the Province of North and

East Yorkshire , whose members met at Whitby , on Wednesday , the 1 st instant , we find the York Lodge , warranted in 1777 , the Humber Lodge of Hull , warranted in 1756 , and the Lennox Lodge at Richmond , warranted in 1763 ; whilst the Old Globe Lodge at Scarborough will be

a century in existence in 1891 , the Constitutional Lodge at Beverley two years later , and the Lion Lodge at Whitby in 1897 , if the world lasts as long . It will thus be seen that in North and East Yorkshire , at any rate , Freema sonry is not a mushroom system , and if we cared to go

back into the earliest records , the parchment rolls , many of which belong to the York Lodge , we should see that no organisation now existing can boast of so long an existence as that wonderful society which permeates every circle of humanity over the world ' s surface , and registers kings and

peasants indiscriminately on its vast rolls of membership . Yorkshire is divided into two Provinces for purposes of local government . The Province of West Yorkshire has been for many years ruled by Sir Henry Edwards , Bart ., who has lately resigned his office through ill-health , and

Brother T . W . Tew , of Pontefract , his Depnty , is now acting Provincial Grand Master . North and East Yorkshire , in which York is included , is governed by the Earl of Zetland , whose late uncle was the Grand Master of England np to his death . The meeting , on the lst instant ,

at Whitby , was held there by the invitation of the Lion Lodge , and is the annual gathering . The brethren assembled in the Grand Saloon on the South Cliff , a splendid room , which had been carefully set out by the Whitby brethren for the occasion . At one o ' clock the

Board of Benevolence met in a small room under the presidency of the Earl of Zetland , when sums to the amount of sixty guineas were voted to various applicants , and soon after two o'clock a procession was formed , and the Provincial Grand Master entered the Grand Hall accompanied by the Provincial Grand Officers , who

occupied their chairs as follows : Bros . J . P . Bell D . P . G . M ., T . B . Whytehead P . G . S . W ., A . T . Rogers P . G . J . W , Rev . J . Blake P . G . Chaplain , R . W . Hollon P . G . Treasurer , W . J . Watson P . G . Registrar , M . C . Peck P . G . Secretary , M . Rooke P . G . S . D ., W . Wilson P . G . J . D ., R . Beevers P G . Supt . of Works , E . Bryan P . G . D . C , D . W . Dixon P . G .

Sword Bearer , W . T . Atlay P . G . Organist , G . Simpson P . G . P ., J . Best P . G . A . P ., and F . J . Lambert P . G . Tyler . The Lodge was then opened , and the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . Amongst these were replies to the addresses of condolence sent to

the Queen and the Duchess of Albany , on the occasion of the death of the late Duke of Albany . The report of the Board of Benevolence was read and adopted , after which the Provincial Grand Secretary read several letters of apology , from the Dean of York and other brethren who

were unavoidably absent . In reference to the Charities Association , Bro . Peck said that , in consequence of ahsence in America of Bro . Woodall , the Charities representative , they wore unable to give any formal report , but he expected

that Bro , Woodall would be home in time to take charge of the votes at the next election , and he believed they would be able to carry their candidate for the Girls' School . Bro . Cumberland said he was about to leave the Province to

reside in London , but would be glad to take charge of the votes for the next election , and his offer was gratefully accepted . The report of the Bye-laws Committee was then presented , aud the Deputy Prov . Grand Master proceeded to explain the alterations that had been made . Eventually it was decided to defer tho consideration

Prov. G. Lodge North And East Yorkshire.

of the report until a Special Provincial Grand Lodge , which the Earl of Zetland said he would call for the purpose at York in January , and in the meantime brethren who had suggestions and amendments should send them in to the Provincial Grand Secretary

before the lst day of January . The Treasurer ' s balance . sheet was then read and adopted . Bro . T . B . Whytehead P . G . S . W . then proposed a vote of five guineas to the Hughan Testimonial Fund , aud in doing so said no brother had done more to elucidate the history of Freemasonrv in

Yorkshire , and as York was really the mother of Freemasonry our historian had a special claim upon all Masons . This was seconded by Bro . J . Todd ( York ) , and carried nnanimously . On the motion of Bro . Sir James Meek , seconded by Bro . J . Stephenson ( Whitby ) , Bros . J . W .

Woodall and Tesseyman were re-elected Charity representatives . Bro . R . W . Hollon Prov . Grand Treasurer said that having served the office of Treasurer for a great number of years , and being now advanced in life , he did not wish to be again nominated . He thanked the brethren

for their kindness and courtesy during the length of time he had served them , and would ask leave to nominate as his successor Bro . J . Sykes Rymer , of York . The pro . position was seconded from tho body of the Lodge , after which Bro . Dr . Handyside proposed as Treasurer Bro . Sir

James Meek , who he said was a brother known for a great number of years in the Province as one who had taken a very active part in Masonry , and had gained by long services the confidence of his brethren . This was seconded by Brother J . Todd ( York ); and Brother J . S . Rymer

having signified his unwillingness to stand for the office under the circumstances , the motion was carried unanimously . The Lodges then handed in their fees , and the Provincial Grand Secretary stated that the result was satisfactory , and the numerical strength of the Province was abont two thousand . The Provincial Officers for the year were then appointed and invested as follows : —

Bro . J . T . Belk 1848 Prov . G . Senior Warden Gilbert Wilkinson 250 Prov . G . Junior Warden The Dean of York 236 Prov . G . Chaplain J . Sykes Rymer 236 Prov . G . Registrar Sir James Meek 236 ... ... Prov . G . Treasurer M . 0 . Peck 250 Prov . G . Secretary Andrew Kinsr 57 ... Prov . G . Senior Deacon W . Smith 123 Prov . G . Junior Deacon H . Walker 312 Prov . G . Sunt , of Works

V . Fowler 643 ... Prov . G . D . of Ceremonies E . D . Hackers 1760 Prov . G . A . D . of Cers . G . F . Harwood 543 Prov . G . Sword Bearer W . Gillett 1605 * ) „ n a . , , „ R . B . Atkinson 1244 j Prov - 6 ' Standard Bearera William Hill 602 Prov . G . Organist J . Els ; ryl 040 Prov . G . Pursuivant W . Stokeld 561 Prov . G . Assist . Pursuivant F . J . Lambert 1010 ... ... Prov . 6 . Tyler

The Provincial Grand Master nominated the Cleveland , Zetland , St . Germain , North York , St . Cuthbert , and Royal Lodges to appoint Stewards . The Deputy Provincial Grand Master proposed a rote of thanks to Bro . R . W .

Hollon for his services as Provincial Grand Treasurer , which was seconded by Bro . J . Sykes Rymer , and carried by acclamation . In replying , Bro . Hollon said that he had for thirty-four years been their Treasurer , and felt that he had done as much as he could for the Craft .

He thanked them cordially for their good feahng . The Prov . Grand Master said he had received invitations from the Leopold Lodge , at Scarborough , and York Lodge , at York , to meet at those places ; but as Scarborough had invited them last year , he should accept the Leopold ' s

invitation ; the next meeting would be at Scarborough . After a vote of thanks to the brethren of the Lion Lodge for their hospitable reception , the Lodge was closed , and the Prov . Grand Master retired , with his Officers . A banquet was afterwards held at the Royal Hotel , at which the usual

Loyal and Masonic toasts were honoured . The musical arrangements were under the direction of Bros . Hallgate and Atlay , and Mr . Barraclough efficiently acted as trumpeter , an office which he performed on a similar occasion in 1867 .

The Alhambra ( Leicester Sqnare ) is announced to be re-opened on Saturday next , 18 th October , aa a " Theatre of Varieties . " The new form of entertainment will consist principally of Operatic and other Selections by the Orchestra ( to be conducted by Mons . G . Jacobi ) ,

Grand Ballets on tho same magnificent scale as heretofore , and a Miscellaneous Performance , introducing Novelties and Varieties from the chief places of amusement on the Continent and elsewhere . The prices of admission will be upon a reduced and popular scale . The Directors havo appointed Mr . Charles Morton as Acting Manager .