Essex.

occasions on which they met together as Brothers were for the purposes of Masonic business of a most serious nature , and which would not allow them for one moment the attraction which he had no doubt the ladies would offer them to get quickly through their business and join them outside the Lodges . The Brethren

were grateful for the presence of the ladies , as they felt that nob only was the descent of man recognised in England , bufc also fche ascent of woman . The Brethren did their best for the Order , and for Charity in particular , and they hoped the ladies -would not regret their presence there that day .

The P . G . M . next proposed the toast of his Deputy , referring to the fact thafc ifc was the first occasion on which the Brethren had had the opportunity of congratulating Bro . Philbrick on the honour conferred upon him—they could only but wish it had been a much higher one . They of Essex would always associate their friend ' s name with everything that was good in connection wifch Freemasonry in the Province .

Bro . Philbrick responded , and then Bro . Claude Egerton-Green proposed the boast of the Worshipful Masters of the Province of Essex , which was in turn acknowledged . Bro . Salter gave the toast of the Ladies , with which was associated the name of Bro . Cook W . M . of the Chelmsford Lodge , who responded in humourous terms , and thus were concluded the proceedings of a truly successful day .

The arrangements were carried out by a Committee composed of Bros . F . H . Bright ( Chairman ) , F . G . Green , J . Hutley , E . Orttewell , H . J . Sanson , E . A . Basham , G . Brown , G . A . Eustace , T . O'Neill , S . Shawyer and E . Gowers ( Secrebary ) .

Monmouthshire.

MONMOUTHSHIRE .

THE annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge was held on Thursday , 9 th inst ., under the banner of the Isca Lodge , at the Masonic Hall , Newport , Bro . Colonel Charles Lyne P . G . M . presiding . There was a large attendance of members from the various Lodges bhroughoub the Province , and Bro . Marmaduke Tennaub D . P . G . M . of bhe Easbern Division of Soubh Wales also honoured the Lodge with his presence .

The general business of the Prov . Grand Lodge was taken , and the report of the Lodge Commibbee and also bhe reporb of the Chariby Committee were approved . The appointment of Officers for tbe ensuing year was then proceeded with , the list being as follows :

Bro . Lieut .-Col . C R . Lyne - - - Deputy Joseph Jones .... Senior Warden D . F . Pritchard .... Junior Warden Rev . D . Wilks - - - - ) r , , . Rev . Watkin Davies - - - j 0 haPlams Charles Cullum .... Treasurer Llewellyn J . Phillips - - - Registrar

J . 0 . Brook ----- Secretary William North - - - , - Senior Deacon Edward James Price ... Junior Deacon Thomas Acland - - - - Superintendent of Works N . S . Wilputte .... Director of Ceremonies Thomas A . Grove - •- - - Assistant Director of Cers . A . Ernest Jones - Sword Bearer

H . C . Groves .... Standard Bearer Sidney J . Jones .... Assistant Standard Bearer A . Willoughby Thomas - - - Organist M . J . S . Lyons - Assistant Secretary J . 0 . Fothergill .... Pursuivant S . Cutforth - - - - - \ Henry W . Jones - WHLe Grand Chambers - -

. . WalterE . Harrison - - - f Stewards CH . Gillard .... John Randall ....

E . W . Evans - - - - - Tyler . Bro . Hartley Feather was invested as P . P . S . G . W . in conformity with the sanction of the Grand Master , to mark the completion of the twenty-first year ' s rule of His Eoyal Highness . The banquet was held at the Westgate Hotel .

Consecrations.

CONSECRATIONS .

HEADINGLEY LODGE .

THIS new Lodge was consecrated on Friday , 10 th inst ., by the Provincial Grand Master of West Yorkshire the Eight Hon . W . L . Jackson , M . P ., at the Parochial Institute , Headingley . The opportunity to witness a function of this kind is seldom given to the Brethren , and the event conseciuentlv attracted a larep

gathering of the members of the Craft from a-J ] parts of the Piovince , the greatest interest being manifested in the proceedings . Notwithstanding the growth of the city during the last decade , no Lodge of Freemasons has been opened in Leeds since

Consecrations.

1884 , when the Prudence , No . 2069 , was consecrated during the Provincial Grand Mastership of the late Sir Henry Edwards , by the late Bro . T . W . Tew , who at that time held the office of Deputy Provincial Grand Master . The new Lodge is named from the District in which it is located , Headingley , and is numbered 2608 on the roll of

the Grand Lodge of England . There are now nine Lodges in Leeds , and seventy-eight in the Province of West Yorkshire . The new Lodge has been formed by a number , of Brethren who have become residents in Leeds , and are not attached to other Lodges , and by members of Leeds Lodges who are living at Headingley and find it inconvenient by reason of the distance to attend the meetings which are held in the centre of the city .

The Parochial Institute is admirably adapted as a Lodge room , and has been appropriately furnished by Mr . J . H . Gash , Leeds . The pedestals and chairs are of fumed oak , the former having moulded friezes , supported by fluted columns , with Corinthian capitals , and adorned with their proper insignia on the fronts . The chairs are carved , and covered with crimson plush , while the columns are of oak , and the distinctive orders of architecture have been faithfully adhered to , which is not always the case .

Bro . Aid . Alf . Cooke , J . P ., P . M . Columbia Lodge , No . 2397 , London , has the honour of being the first W . M ., and he has as his Officers : —Bros . A . Scarth P . M . 289 P . P . G . D . as acting I . P . M ., W . F . Tomlinson P . M . 304 P . P . G . D . C . as S . W ., T . A . Withey P . M . P . P . G . Dep . Beg . J . W ., W . H . Bradford P . M .

1211 P . P . G . D . Chaplain , W . Lancetfc 1056 Treasurer , W . S . Barker Secretary , Pryce Lewis P . M . 1674 P . P . G . P . North Wales D . C . and Prov . Charity Steward , F . Broadhead P . M . 1311 S . D ., A . Mills 1231 J . D ., E . Simpson 2259 I . G ., W . Humphreys 1611 , E . Bacon 20 , J . E . Eenwick 1389 , A . Crossland 2230 , H . Lewis 1302 Stewards , W . Marshall Tyler .

The Lodge was opened by the Deputy Provincial Grand Master Bro . J . C . Malcolm , after which the Provincial Grand Master entered , accompanied by several present and past Provincial Officers . The chair having been taken by the Prov . Grand Master , the ceremony of consecration was most impressively carried out .

Bro . J . W . Monckman , of Shakespere Lodge , Bradford , P . P . G . D . C . officiated as Director of Ceremonies . The musical portion of the service was almost wholly taken from the " Liber Musicus " of Dr . Spark , and was admirably rendered by Bros . C . Blagboro , T . Child , W . O . Tooke , J . J . Binns , and W . Higgins , under the direction of Bro . H . T , Cockerlyne who presided at the organ .

The Provincial Grand Master , addressing the Brethren , said thafc those occasions , which did not frequently occur , were of great interest to the Order , inasmuch as if they were rightly and properly carried oub , they indicated the growth and development of it . Whilst it was desirable to make provision for increasing

bodies within tha Order , the formation of new Lodges should not be lightly undertaken . In the opinion of many , their endeavours should be not to distribute their energies , but to concentrate them . The founders of that Lodge had taken a great responsibility , but he was sure they would accept ifc , and take care that fche Lodge would be a credit to fche Order .

At the conclusion of the consecration ceremony , the W . M .-designate Aid . Alf . Cooke was installed by the Deputy Provincial Grand Master , who also invested the Officers . In the evening the newly-installed W . M . entertained the Prov . G . M ., and nearly a hundred guests to a banquet , which was provided by Mr . Powolny , of Bond Street . — " Leeds Mercury . "

London School Board Lodge.

LONDON SCHOOL BOARD LODGE .

THIS Lodge , No . 2611 on the roll of the Grand Lodge of England , was consecrated on Monday , 13 th inst ., at the Masonic Hall , 33 Golden Square . The Lodge is established in connection with the School Board of London , and has among its founders Lord George Hamilbon , M . P ., Sir Eeginald Hanson , M . P .. Bro . H . S . Foster , M . P ., and Major Clifford Probyn . The

ceremony of consecration was performed by the Eev . J . S . Brownrigg Past Grand Chaplain , in the absence of Bro . Edward Lebchworbh Grand Secretary , who had received Her Majesty ' s commands to be present elsewhere . The Eev . Arnold Whitaker

Oxford , Past Master of the Somerset House and Inverness Lodge , No . 4 , was installed as the first Master , Major Clifford Probyn was appointed to act as Immediate Past Master , Bro . Henry Lynn Past Master No . 217 was invested as first Senior Warden , and Bro . W . H . Kidson as Junior Warden .

IN view of the universal popularity of cycling as a pastime , " Oassell's Saturday Journal" has arranged to give its readers the benefits of free cycling insurance . Provision is made for compensation in case of death or injury from accidents whilst cycling , thc free insurance beginning with the number published 15 th inst .