Sussex.

SUSSEX .

THE annual Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Masons was held in the Royal Pavilion , Brighton , on Monday , 7 th inst . The Rev . E . R . Currie , D . D ., Deputy Provincial Grand Master presided , and there was a good attendance . Every Lodge in the Province was represented . The Treasurer ' s accounts ,, presented by Bro . Jos . Farncombe , and showing a substantial balance in hand , were approved .

Having served the office of Treasurer for six years Bro . Farncombe felt it his duty to give place to some other Brother , and intimated his intention not to seek re-election . He having been heartily thanked for his past services Bro . J . H . Wright ( Eastbourne ) was appointed Treasurer .

In addressing the Brethren , the presiding Officer expressed regret at the unavoidable absence of the Provincial Grand Master H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught . He had desired him to express satisfaction at the position of Mark Masonry in Sussex . They had increased in numbers , the finances were satisfactory , and the working showed a decided improvement all round . That Mark Masonry would develop in the west division of Sussex was the wish of all interested in the subject . The following Officers were appointed for the ensuing

year : Bro . A . Lloyd -- - -- Senior Warden Jos . Farncombe - - - - . Junior Warden Bev . Seymour Penzer - - - Chaplain W . Gates --- -- Master Overseer

• F , B . Sutton' .... Senior Overseer ; ' . W ' C . Blaker .... Junior Overseer J . H . Wright . ... Treasurer E . D . Sapey .... Begistrar of Marks . J . P . Slingsby "Roberts - - - Secretary ,,,,. H . Boyce - - - - Senior Deacon

. L . Davidson - Junior Deacon ' A . J . Howard - - - - Inspector of Works * Hi Pearce - - - - - Director of Ceremonies .-- ¦ ' - . ¦ J . H . Glassington - Assistant Dir . of Cers . C . A . Milnes .... Sword Bearer W . P . Smith .... Standard Bearer J . Easter ---- - Organist ¦ j inner

. ijorrmgaam .... wuaro * . ¦ ..- . H . Langdon - - - - ) . " . E . T . Cooksey - - - - I „ , , W . A . Field ... . ^ Stewards F . C . Golding - - - - J A . Coe ..... Tyler .

At the conclusion of the business , which included some slight alteration in the bye-laws , the Brethren dined together in one of the newly-decorated rooms of the Royal Pavilion . The Deputy Grand Master Bro . Currie presided . Music was interspersed between the various Loyal and Mark toasts .

Bro . Matier Grand Secretary responded for the Grand Officers of England , and Bro . Farncombe for the newlyappointed Provincial Grand Officers . The Stewards discharged their duties admirably , and were deservedly thanked .

Bro . J . E . Shand P . M . P . Z ., Registrar of Westminster , has been presented with a handsome massive marble timepiece , bearing the following inscription on a gold plate : Presented to J . E . SHAND ( JOHN )

by some of his old Westminster friends , Freemasons and others , in recognition of many years of friendship , and to commemorate his 60 th birthday . October 1898 .

The presentation was made by Brother Frank Todman ( Messrs . Bertram and Co . ) W . M . of the Abbey Lodge , Westminster , No . 2030 , who reminded all of the long friendship and regard they had for the recipient of their good wishes on his attaining his sixtieth birthday . Among those

present we noticed Bros . C . C . Piper P . M . 2030 , James Gibson P . M . Treasurer 2030 , Major H . E . Poole Sec . 2030 , E . J . Badderly Sec . 2030 . Instruction Lodge , Balchin 2030 , F . Sherras , W . Armour , J . Squires , T . Cocks , and other Brethren ; of Westminster friends , Messrs . S . Cansley , C .

Mitchell , Morris , W . G . Fletcher , and others . Bro . Shand made a suitable reply , expressing the pleasure he felt in being so long connected with Westminster , Masonic and otherwise . We add our hearty congratulations to

Brother Shand , whose acquaintance we have had the pleasure of enjoying during the whole of the twenty-four years the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE has been established . We trust he may long live to enjoy the approval of his friends , alike in the Craft and outside of it .

Sussex.

Bro . Julius Seeth , the well-known lion tamer , of Blackpool Tower Circus fame , was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason at the meeting of the Blackpool

Lodge , No . 1476 , held in that town on the Sth inst . Will he try the effect of the Masonic sign on his " denizens of the forest . "

The Lodge of Freedom , No . ' j' j , has temporarily removed its meeting place to more commodious quarters at the Royal Clarendon Hotel , Gravesend . This Lodge meets

on the third Monday in every month , throughout the year ; and the Lodge of Instruction is held every Thursday , at eight o'clock .

The Royal Savoy Lodge of Instruction , No . 1744 , has removed to the Earl Russell , 2 Pancras Road , King's Cross ( next to the Great Northern Station ) , where future meetings

will be held on Wednesday evenings , at eight o ' clock . Bro . A . George is the Secretary of the Lodge , and he will be pleased to extend a cordial welcome to any visitors who may be able to attend .

Future meetings of the Londesborough Lodge of Instruction , No . 1681 , will be held at the Criterion , Piccadilly , on Wednesday evenings , at eight o'clock , a removal having been decided on from John Street , Berkeley

Square . The Lodge is under the Preceptorship of Bro . G . Wood P . M . of the Mother Lodge , who has as his principal coadjutors Bro . Kelly Treasurer , and Bro . Plows Secretary , both being members of No . 1681 .

Bro . Andrew J . Hamlyn , Vicar of St . Paul's , Devonport , announces that tne collection at the annual Masonic Service at his church , on the 6 th inst ., amounted to £ 4 15 s . At the meeting of the St . Aubyn Lodge , on the Sth inst ., the sum of

10 s was voted from the Lodge funds , so as to make it up to £ 5 5 S . which amount has been paid to the Treasurer of the local Hospital , plus the Sunday morning and evening offertories at St . Paul's .

The annual dance promoted by the Officers of the Humber Lodge was held in the Central Hall , Pryme Street , Hull , on the 15 th . The event is always anticipated with pleasure , not only by those connected with the Lodge , but also

by a large circle of friends , who embrace the opportunity of being present . The re-union of this season was no exception to the general rule , everyone present entering fully into the spirit of the occasion and enjoying themselves to the utmost .

The brilliancy of the Masonic ball which was given last January under the auspices of the Egerton Lodge , New Brighton , impels people to look forward with pleasure to the forthcoming one . ' Already it is said the preliminary

meeting of the W . M . and his Officers has been held , and it is expected that the ball this season will be the most brilliant one ever held in the Wirral Peninsular . At all events no effort is to be spared to make the gathering successful , and even eclipse that of January last .

Bro . James Inner , of Kelvedon , late Colour-Sergeant of the 40 th Regiment , bids fair to establish something like a treble record . Last year was the jubilee of his marriage , this year is his Masonic jubilee , and next year will be his military diamond jubilee , he having joined the Army at

Braintree , on the 2 nd October 18 39 . Bro . Inifer has been the Tyler of the Easterford Lodge , at Kelvedon , since its consecration in 18 90 , and the Worshipful Master and Brethren of that Lodge have just presented him with a special jewel .

Whatever opinion people may have about Freemasonry being a " knife and fork " Institution , there is no doubt it does much charitable work in an automatic way , and without any appeal to the outside world . For instance , seventeen

children are educated under the auspices of the Hampshire and ^ Isle of Wight Masonic Educational and Benevolent Association , the managers of which pride themselves on the

fact that every qualified applicant who has come before them has been granted the benefits , without the expense of a contested election , says the "Southampton Echo . "