Royal Arch.

ROYAL ARCH .

— : o : — KENT .

THE annual meeting of this Provincial Grand Chapter was held in the Masonic Room , Royal Hotel , Ramsgate , on Friday , 8 th inst ., when a large number of Companions were present . Lord Amherst Prov . Grand Superintendent appointed the Officers for the ensuing year , as follow : — Comp . James S . Eastes - H . Alick James Tassell - - - 3 .

Alfred Spencer - - - - Scribe E . Capt . Francis Powell ... Scribe N . W . Eussell - ---- Treasurer John Creery .... Eegistrar Prank Cronk .... Principal Sojourner George Tyler - - - - 1 st Assistant Sojourner Henry P . Greig .... 2 nd Assistant Sojourner

Sergt-Major H . S . Drake .. . Sword Bearer Bagan Martin - - - - " ) H . 1 . T . Browne - - - - > Standard Bearers Eobert John Beale - - - ) Henry T . Sampson - Director oi Ceremonies Albert H . Pilcber - - - - \

Edwin Weller - - - - Y Assist . Dirs . of Cers William Wiggins - - - - / George Puller Taylor ... Organist George P . Baker - Assistant Scribe E . John Cooke - Janitor .

After the meeting an excellent banquet was served by Comp . Roach , at which the usual Loyal and Arch toasts were proposed .

Mark Masonry.

MARK MASONRY .

NORTHUMBERLAND AND DURHAM

ON Wednesday afternoon , 29 th ult ., the annual meeting ofthe Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons was held at the Freemasons' Hall , Alnwick , when there was a very large gathering assembled under the banner of the Hotspur Lodge . The Rev . Canon Tristram , D . D ., Prov . Grand Mark Master presided , and was supported by several Provincial Officers .

The report of the Committee stated that H . R . H . the Prince of Wales Grand Mark Master had been pleased to re-appoint the Rev . Canon Tristram , D . D ., as Prov . G . M . M . for the ensuing three years , in compliance with the request of the Brethren of the Province . The reports were in every

respect satisfactory , and were adopted upon the motion of the Deputy P . G . M . M . Bro . Thomas Purvis , seconded by the Past Deputy P . G . M . Bro . R . B . Reed . The roll of Lodges was called , and other Provincial Grand Lodge business was transacted .

The following were appointed and invested as the Officers for the ensuing year :

Bro . T .. Purvis --- - - Deputy Col . W . M . Angus .... Senior Warden Thomas Coulson .... Junior Warden Ernest Lautebach .... Master Overseer William Hodgson .... Senior Overseer John Walton .... Junior Overseer

Eev . W . Bowker - - - I n , , . Eev . J . Haworth - - - . ) Chaplains G . W . Bain ----- Treasurer John Heppell .... Secretary James Scott - * - - - Eegistrar of Marks T . B . Grimes .... Senior Deacon

T . R . Braybrook .... Junior Deacon Alf Simpson - - - - Inspector of Works P . W . Ingram .... Director of Ceremonies J . Smith ----- Sword Bearer Eobert Bolam - Standard Bearer Dr . H . Paige .... Organist E . E . Eiddell - Inner Guard .

The Rev . Canon Tristram , D . D ., then , on behalf of the Mark Masons of the Province , presented to Bro . R . B . Reed , who had for nine years held the office of Deputy Provincial Grand Mark Master , a life-size painting in oils of his portrait , in recognition of his wise counsel and able service in that most important position . Canon Tristram also expressed the

wide-felt regret with which all of them , with himself , had received the tidings of Bro . Reed's retirement . He also presented to Bro . Reed , for Mrs . Reed , a diamond ring , as a memento of the great esteem in which her husband was held by his Brethren in Mark Masonry . Bro . John Heppell Prov . Grand Secretary read the

Mark Masonry.

following address to Bro . Reed , which had been beautifully illuminated in Mark Masonic colours , by Bro . J . U . Simpson , of Newcastle : — The Provincial Grand Dodge of Mark Master Masons Northumberland and Durham .

The Bev . Canon Tristram , D . D ., LL . D ., P . E . S ., Prov . G . M . M . M . Copy of Eesolution . Proposed by Bro . C . D . Hill Drury P . P . S . G . W ., and seconded by Bro . G . W . Bain Prov . G . Treasurer , and passed unanimously by the members of Provincial Grand Mark Lodge , held at Gateshead , on 25 th August 1897 .

"That the Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of Northumberland and Durham receives with sincere regret the intimation of the retirement of Bro . Eichard Bagnall Seed from the office of W . D . P . G . M . M . M ., and desires hereby to express' its deep sense of gratitude for the eminent services rendered to Mark Masonry in general , and to this Province in particular , by him during the nine years he has , with conspicuous ability , filled that high and important office .

The Brethren hope and trust that he will be long spared to bestow on the members of the Mark Degree the benefit of his experience , wise counsels , and advice . That a copy of this resolution be handed to Bro . Eeed . " Signed by the Prov . G . M . M . M . Dep . Prov . G . M . M . M .

Prov . G . Secretary . Bro . R . B . Reed very feelingly acknowledged the great compliment paid him that day by their distinguished Prov . Grand Mark Master Canon Tristram , and by the Brethren

generally , and on behalf of Mrs . Reed he gratefully accepted the ring , which he was sure would , with the excellent portrait , be treasured by his partner , himself , and the members of his family .

The portrait was the work of the well-known and distinguished artist , Mr . C . K . Robertson , lately of Newcastle , but now of London . In the evening , a banquet was held at the Star Hotel ,

Alnwick , presided over by the Provincial Grand Master . The usual Loyal and Mark toasts were honoured , and altogether the proceedings were of an enjoyable character . — " Newcastle Leader . "

Scottish Benevolence.

SCOTTISH BENEVOLENCE .

npHERE are now 114 annuitants on the roll of the annuity JL branch of Scottish Masonic Benevolence , to whom £ 1 , 180 is due annually in amounts ranging from £ 10 to £ 20 . Sixteen fresh annuities were granted at the current year ' s meeting of the Board .

"A Sprig Of Acacia."

"A SPRIG OF ACACIA . "

WE greatly regret to announce the death of Bro . John Charles Biggs , for many years Secretary ot the Lodge of Freedom , No . 77 , Gravesend , who joined the Grand Lodge above on Thursday , 7 th , after a long and painful illness . Our deceased Brother , who was held in

high esteem by his fellow townsmen , was born in December 18 48 , and was initated into Freemasonry in 1874 , heing installed Master of the Lodge in 1881 . After passing through the chair he was appointed Secretary , which duty he has performed to the satisfaction of the several Masters

and Brethren generally . In 1888 he was appointed Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies for Kent . He was a Past Master of the Gordon Mark Lodge , No . 364 , Gravesend , in which degree he bore Provincial honours as Grand Standard Bearer in 1893 . Bro . Biggs worked

zealously in the cause of the Masonic Charities , for which he collected no less than £ 600 , by means of one shilling subscriptions . The funeral took place at Gravesend Cemetery on Monday , and was attended by a large number of Masonic and other friends . We tender our respectful sympathy to his sorrowing widow and family .

' I ' HE death is announced at Norwich of Brother Henry JL Barwell , a prominent figure in the Masonic world , he having been Provincial Grand Secretary of Norfolk from 1875 to 1885 . On his retirement from the office he received a splendid subscription testimonial of esteem from his fellow

Masons . He was one of the founders of the Norwich Art Circle , and for many years Hon . Secretary of the Norwich School of Art . In the philanthropic world he was equally

well known , being one of the founders of the Yarmouth Children ' s Convalescent Hospital , and a manager of the Norwich Jenny Lind Infirmary . The deceased was in his seventieth year .