Consecration.

contractors , and the usual Loyal toasts were afterwards honoured , interspersed with an excellent programme of music provided by the Westminster singers , Bros . George May , Harper Kearton P . M ., Charles Ackerman , W . H . Brereton P . M ., and Misses Emily Foxcroft and Ethel Winn . Bro . J . T . Musgrave presided at the piano .

The Brethren are to be congratulated on the excellence of the arrangements made for the comfort of the Grand Officers and visitors . No small measure of praise is due to the W . M . Bro . Campbell , the S . W . Bro . Hardyment , the Secretary Bro . George , and the other Officers for their efforts in bringing matters to such a successful issue .

The Lodge Room is very convenient for the business , and has been tastefully decorated . We learn that it is the intention of the Brethren at a very early date to form a Lodge of Instruction for the

members and their Masonic friends in the neighbourhood . This will be a great boon to Masons resident in Kilburn , and will fill a long felt want to those anxious to perfect themselves in the Masonic ritual .

We wish the new Lodge and its Founders every success , and from what we know of . the principal workers in connection with it prosperity is already assured .

West Kirby Lodge.

WEST KIRBY LODGE .

THE consecration of the West Kirby Lodge , No . 2690 , the 51 st on the roll of the Cheshire Provincial Grand Lodge , took place on Saturday afternoon , 12 th inst ., in the Tynwald Hall , under the most favourable circumstances . In the absence , through indisposition , of Earl Egerton of Tatton Provincial Grand Master , Bro . Sir Horatio Lloyd

Deputy Provincial Grand Master P . G . D . of England attended as Consecrating Officer , and he was supported by over a hundred Brethren from various parts of Cheshire and West Lancashire , including an exceptionally large number of eminent Grand and Provincial Grand Officers . At the

opening of the Lodge Sir Horatio Lloyd occupied the . chair , the Senior and Junior Wardens' being filled , by Bro . F . Broadsmith Prov . S . G . W ., and J . Armstrong Prov . J . G . W . respectively . The beautiful consecration rites were performed by the Deputy Prov . Grand Master , assisted by present and past

Provincial Officers . Bro . Sir Horatio Lloyd , in commencing the ceremony , said that they were met to inaugurate the 51 st Lodge in the Province of Cheshire , and this was the third time within a short period that he had the pleasure of

assisting that part of the Province for a similar purpose . He rejoiced that the growth of the population rendered this increase of Lodges necessary , but he advised them not to be in too great a hurry to multiply their numbers .

One of the features of the ceremony was the oration of Bro . the Rev . A . Hamilton King P . P . G . C , on the nature and principles of the Institution . In the course of a very eloquent discourse , which was much appreciated , he remarked that under every emblem in their Lodp-es 7 av

solemn and important truths tending to purify the morals , improve the understanding , bind the whole human family more closely together , and raise the soul to God . Freemasonry had bound men more closely together than any other institution ; and it had a universal language and a universal fund of Benevolence .

The new Lodge having been duly dedicated and constituted , the installation of Bro . Dr . Kellett Smith as the first W . M . was performed . He was presented by Bros . R .

Wylie and John Houlding , the Installing Masters being Bros . Colonel Dean and John Armstrong , the burden of the work falling to the latter , who rendered the charges , & c , with accuracy and impressiveness .

The W . M . afterwards invested his Officers as follow : Bros . W . H . Middleton-Andrews S . W ., Edward Taylor J . W ., Dr . P . J . Wilkinson Secretary , G . W . Ridlev

Treasurer , D . G . Greenwood P . M . D . C . and- C . R ., J . K . Housden S . D ., W . H . Landers J . D ., John Smith I . G ., W . S . Kerr Organist , Arthur Moss , J . A . Wilson , R . G . I . Jones , and Walter Quilliam Stewards , Bunting Tyler . Numerous congratulations and good wishes were then

extended to the W . M ., and on the proposition of Bro . Greenwood , seconded by Bro . Kerr , hearty thanks were accorded to the Deputy Grand Master for his services ; and his Honour and also Bro . Newhouse were elected Honorary Members of the Lodge .

Several candidates for initiation having been nominated , the Lodge was closed . The musical portions of the ceremonies were rendered very effectively by Bros . Josef

West Kirby Lodge.

Cantor P . P . G . O ., Eaton Batty , Ben Roberts , and David Davies . The Brethren afterwards sat down , under the presidency of the W . M ., to an excellent banquet , which was provided by Bro . Walter J . Holmes , Church Street , Liverpool . The customary Loyal and Masonic toasts were honoured , and

interesting speeches were delivered by the W . M ., Bros . Sir Horatio Lloyd , John Houlding , Dr . M'Murray , W . Goodacre , and others . . A musical programme of unusual excellence was performed by the artistes already mentioned , supplemented by some successful items on the vivaphone by Bro . John Smith I . G . — " Liverpool Courier . "

Worcestershire.

WORCESTERSHIRE .

PRESENTATION TO THE PROV . GRAND MASTER . rriHE annual meeting of the Masonic Charity Organisation 1 . Committee of the Province of Worcester was held on Wednesday afternoon , the 9 ch inst ., afc the Masonic Hall , Kidderminster , under the presidency of Colonel Warner Ofctley D . P . G . M ., when , after the transaction of the business , the

gathering was converted into a special assembly for the purpose of making a presentation to the Provincial Grand Master Brother A . P . Godson , M . A ., M . P ., P . G . D . England , consisting of a threequarter portrait of himself , done in oils by Mr . Herbert A . Olivier , and an illuminated address , in book form , and with a Gothic style of ornamentation , the latter being the work of a young

Kidderminster artist , Mr . E . A . Cotton ( son of a member of the local Lodge ) . The portrait was regarded on all hands as a good likeness of the popular and esteemed Member for the borough of Kidderminster ; and shows the hon . gentleman wearing his Masonic clothing . It is encased in a massive gilt frame , on a plate afc the bottom of which is the following inscription in artistic lettering : —

Presented to Worshipful Brother A . E \ GODSON , M . A ., M . P ., of Westwood Park , Droitwich , in the County of Worcester , P . M . P . G . M . of the Province of Worcestershire , and P . G . D . England , by his Brother Masons , as a mark of appreciation and respect , and in recognition of the unique position he holds in the Masonic world of

Worcestershire as P . G . M ., G . S ., P . G . ( Mark ) M ., and P . G . Prior . Dated this 9 th day of March 1898 . Warner Ottley D . P . G . M . William Waldron P . G . H . Abraham Green D . P . G . Mark M ., and P . G . Sub-Prior .

Alfred B . Eowe P . G . Treasurer . William T . Page P . G . Secretary . The beautifully illuminated address , painted in water colours , and adorned with a choice selection of Gothic foliage , contained on the first page the name of Brother Godson , and in the left-hand corners of the following pages were the different

emblems of the various degrees in Masonry through which the hon . gentleman had passed . An introductory ode , specially composed for the purpose by Brofcher Shuttle worth , of Worcester , prefaced the text of the address , and was bordered by illuminated ornament , in water colours . The terms of the address were as under : —

To the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master of Worcestershire , Bro . Augustus Frederick Godson , M . A ., M . P ., P . G . D . England , of Westwood Park , Droitwich , in the county of Worcester . We , the Brethren of your Province , take this opportunity of recording our hearty appreciation of you and of your Masonic working as P . G . M . It is particularly gratifying to note that by the spontaneous wishes of the

Brethren , and to commemorate such working , you bave this day been presented by them with your portrait , executed by Mr . Herbert A . . Olivier . It is believed that you hold the unique position in the Masonic world of being P . G . M . of the Craft , G . S . of the . Boyal Arch , P . G . M . of Mark Masons , and P . Prior of this Province of Worcestershire . The thirty-two years you have been connected with the Province have only tended to

cement and strengthen our pleasure at your popularity , courtesy , and unfailing kindness . •Dated this 9 th day of March 1898 . Warner Ottley D . P . G . M . William Waldron P . G . H . Abraham Green D . P . G . M . M . and P . G . Sub-Prior .

' ;;;¦¦ Alfred B . Rowe P . G . Treasurer . M ¦ ' ..., William T . Page P . G . Secretary . Then followed the names of Jihe 280 subscribers to fche presentation fund ; and it will be interesting to state thafc fche total cost of the gift to Brofcher Godson amounted to £ 250 , the

whole of which , it was announced at the meeting , had been cleared off . As the amount of each subscription was limited to one guinea , it will be at once apparent that the response made fco the suggestion of the promoters of the presentation portrait was afc once spontaneous and hearty . Colonel Ofctley , in opening the proceedings incidental to the presentation , referred to fche fact that 30 years had elapsed since