Provincial Grand Lodge Of Oxfordshire.

¦ o . Reginald Bird , P . G . D . England ... ... Dep . Prov . G . M . „ Rev . D . H . W . Horlock , W . M . 103 6 ... ... Prov . S . G . W . „ A . C . Clark , W . M . 357 ... - Prov . J . G . W . „ Rev . H . Sayers , I . P . M . 357 ... ••¦ Prov . G . Chap . „ W . R . Bowden , W . M . 1515 ... ••• Prov . G . Reg .

„ W . L . Morgan , I . P . M . 357 ... ••• r"rov . sec . „ W . J . Johnson , W . M . 599 ... ... ¦¦ - Prov . S . G . D . „ W . Jessop , S . W . 1895 ... ... •¦¦ Prov . J . G . D . „ H . C . Habgood , W . M . 1 703 ... ••¦ •¦¦ Prov . G . S . of W . „ F . H . Marychurch , S . W . 1515 ... ... — Prov . G . D . C . * U P ,-, H- WM nrin ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C .

„ W . Dunning , 357 ... ... - - Prov . G . S . B . „ F . Bacon , J . W . 340 ... ... '") Prov . G . St . Brs . „ J . W . S . Godding , 3 S 7 ... ... •••) „ R . A . S . Paget , Org . 357 ... ... Prov . G . Org .

„ A . Rowley , P . M . 340 and 1399 ... ... rrov . A . U . aec . „ R . de M . Pratt , J . W . 1036 ... ... - Prov . G . Purst . „ G . B . Mallam , I . G . 340 „ C . E . L . Wrig ht , J . D . 357 „ F . M . Davies , Sec . 47 8 ... ... '" I Prov . G . Stwds .

„ A . K . Lloyd , Sec . 1 S 95 „ C . Bathurst , D . C . 357 „ R . Sheaf , S . W . 1703 ... ... -J „ G . R . Norwood , Tyler 357 ... ... — Prov . G . Tyler . The P . G . M . then called on the P . G . C , Bro . H . Sayers , to offer prayer , and the

Provincial Grand Lodge was then closed . The annual report of the Charity Committee disclosed that during the year the sum of . £ 256 12 s . had been raised by Stewards for the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution ; ^ 81 7 s . 6 d . for the Girls' School ; and £ 187 igs . for the Boys ' School—these independently of separate subscriptions and donations not here reported .

The annual banquet followed , and was held in the Assembly Room at the Clarendon Hotel , which barely afforded accommodation to the large number of brethren assembled . The Earl of Jersey presided , supported on his right by the D . P . G . M ., the P . G . Treas . ( Bro . W . G . Emberlin ) , and the Secretary of the Charity Committee ( Bro . F . W . Ansell ) , and on his left by Viscount Valentia , Bros . H . A .

Pickard , F . P . Morrell , and other members of P . G . Lodge . The menu was attractive , and the serving , as well as other arrangements for the dinner , reflected much to the credit of the manager and staff of the establishment . The noble earl was most felicitous in proposing the customary Masonic toasts , which were severally replied to , two or three excellent songs interspersing themselves .

It came to the lot of Bro . Pickard to offer the toast of the evening , that of "The Provincial Grand Master , " which he did in the following terms : — " When I received , a few days ago , from the D . P . G . M . a request that I should propose the health of our Provincial Grand Master at our banquet _ to-night , I then shrank from the privilege , conscious of my own inability to do justice to the toast . But greater pressure was brought to bear upon me vvhen Lord Jersey

himself said that he would prefer that I should undertake to propose the toast . I therefore cultivated the Masonic virtue of obedience , cast aside all my own wishes , and considered what I should say . Brethren , for some time past our Provincial Grand Master has been hearing addresses and speeches in his honour . I do not know what has happened in Old South Wales , but in Oxfordshire the Druids , the cricketers , the citizens have

vied vvith each other in praising him and lamenting his loss ; and I rather think the Magistrates are to have the same opportunity which vve have to-night of expressing our regret for his departure , and our good wishes for his prosperity during his absence , and his speedy return . No more popular Provincial Grand Master exists in England , and this popularity is thoroughly deserved . I ask you , brethren , is there anyone who more thoroughly fulfills the distinguishing characteristics of

a Freemason than the noble brother whose health I propose to you ? Is there one who carries out more fully the characteristics of a ruler in the Craft ? in that he is trusty , of good report , and held hig h in estimation among his brethren ; in that he is ot exemplary character , courteous in demeanour , easy of address , but steady and firm in principle ? Is there anyone who exemplifies more fully the three grand principles on which our Order is founded—Brotherly Love , Relief , and Truth ?

By the practice of these virtues our Prov . G . M . has endeared himself to the hearts of all the brethren , and if vve are for a time separated from him we know that our loss is the gain of the colony to which he is going , where , if rumour be true , he may find himself ( in succession to Lord Carrington ) Dist . G . M . of New South Wales . We hope he may find that as easy a province to rule as this , and that the experience which he will gain at the Antipodes may fit him even still better for his higher duties outside Masonry . I am perhaps prejudiced in thinking that the Grand

Master can bestow no hig her honour than that of Prov . Grand Master of Oxon and Grand Warden of England , but outside Masonry there are many high dignities to which Lord Jersey may aspire , and if he only fulfils their duties as well as those which have devolved upon him as our ruler in the Craft , we may greatly congratulate those over whose destinies he may be called upon to preside . We are quite sure that , vvhen acting as Pro-Consul in a distant part of our great empire he will not forget us , and he knows that vve shall always remember him . Brethren , I give you the health of our Prov . Grand Master , and call upon you to drink it with the utmost enthusiasm .

A heartier response could scarcely be conceived than that which followed Bro . Pickard ' s interesting speech , and when the noble earl rose to respond he vvas again greeted vvith deafening applause . At the close of his reply "Auld Lang Syne" vvas freely indulged in , and as his lordship left the Assembly Room he was greeted with another equall y well-remembered chorus by all the brethren present . A few remaining toasts being disposed of , this highly representative gathering dispersed .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Sussex.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF SUSSEX .

On Friday , the 24 th ult ., the Eastbourne Town Hall vvas the scene oi a gathering scarcely second to any which the building has contained . The palm should , perhaps , be given to the Diocesan Conference just closed , but the annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Sussex vvas at the same time a brilliant gathering of influential men gathered from all parts of Sussex , and many from distant parts of the country . This was the first occasion that the annual meeting of the

Craft had been held at Eastbourne . The fixture was made at the suggestion oi the Mayor of Eastbourne , Alderman Morrison , and it vvas largely due to his untiring zeal for the welfare of the Empress of Watering Places as a town , and the deep interest which he takes in Freemasonry , that Friday ' s meeting proved such a great success . The Council Room had been dismantled of its ordinary appurtenances , and was bedecked with Masonic devices

and handsome banners belonging to various lodges in the province . The latest addition to these is a magnificent one presented to the Tyrian Lodge by Bro . A . J . Howard , the retiring W . M . The entire building was fitted up in harmony with the occasion , and reflected great credit on all concerned , especially the members of the Tyrian Lodge . The members of this lodge assembled early in the afternoon and held their annual meeting , and the following officers were appointed for the ensuing year : Bros . W . E , Morrison , P . M . 916 , P . J . G . W .,

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Sussex.

W . M . ; A . J . Hosvard , I . P . M . ; J . Creig hton , S . W . ; G . Fowler , J . W . ; Rev . C . Leslie Norris , P . P . G . S . B ., Chap . ; C . Tomes , P . P . G . S . of W ., Treas . ; C . W . Tomes , P . M ., P . P . G . S . of W ., Sec . ; J . Vine , S . D . ; J . A . Skinner , J . D . ; W . M . Caffyn , P . M ., D . C . ; C . H . Haine , P . M , P . P . A . G . D . C , C . S . ; F . B . Sutton , Org . ; A . A . Oakden and V . T . Sumfield , Stesvards ; E . Goldring , Tyler ; and W . Pennington , Asst . Tyler . At this meeting the splendid silk banner above referred to was handed over to the lodge by Bro . Howard previous to his leaving the chair . In recognition of his services he vvas presented vvith a gold P . M . ' s jewel .

The meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge took place at 3 o clock . Bro . the Right Hon . Sir William T . Marriott , Q . C , M . P , Judge Advocate General , presided , and he was supported by a brilliant array of distinguished Masons . Bro . Dr . Trollope , P . G . W , acted as Deputy Provincial Grand Master at the opening of the lodge , and Bro . J . Farncombe , P . G . W , at the closing , the former brother having to leave by an early train . Among the brethren present were :

Bros . Richard Clowes , Prov . Senior Grand Warden ¦ Thomas Billing , Prov . Junior Grand Warden ; E . R . Currie , Prov . G . Chaplain ; R . Pidcock , Prov . G . Registrar ; V . P . Freeman , P . G . D ., Prov . G . Secretary ; Colonel Shadsvell H . Clerke , Grand Secretary ; A . M . Brookfield , M . P ., W . M . 11 S 4 ; C . F . Matier , P . G . Std . Br . ; H . T . Somerville Burney , P . G . D . ; Rev . W . A . Tooth , P . G . C . ; Rev . J . Puttick , P . G . C . ; Rev . L . D . Dosvdall , P . G . C . ; and a large number of members and visitors .

The usual routine business having been gone through and the roll of lodges called , the Deputy Prov . G . Master addressed the brethren . He said he regretted that H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught vvas not present to preside over them . Their distinguished brother would have done so had it been possible , but at the present time their Prov . Grand Master vvas in Germany . His Royal Highness fully hoped to be able to preside on the next occasion . He regretted very much the sad death

of their esteemed Bro . Crawford Pocock during the past year . He vvas an ardent Mason as well as an excellent friend , ' and he ( Bro . Marriott ) owed him many obligations . The past year had been a very successful one so far as the Provincial Grand Lodge of Sussex was concerned . They now numbered 1275 members , an increase of 75 during the past 12 months . The only special occurrence worth

mentioning was the fact that the Burrell Lodge had been removed from Shoreham to Brighton , and this because the former tosvn had no suitable room in which they could assemble . He assured them that he should continue to give his best efforts in order to advance the true interests of Freemasonry in the Province of Sussex . He then appointed the following brethren as his Prov . Grand Officers for the ensuing year * .

Bro . Major James Graham-Edwards , R . A , P . M . 1466 ... Prov . S . G . W . „ W . E . Morrison ( Mayor of Eastbourne ) , W . M . 1110 ... Prov . J . G . W . „ Very Rev . E . R . Currie , P . M . 11 S 4 , S . W . 2201 ... ) p G Q , ' „ Rev . L . D . Dowdall , P . M . 271 ... ... ... j P „ J . M . Reed , P . M . 732 ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ R . Pidcock , P . M . 916 ... ... ... Prov . G . R . .. V . P . Freeman , P . M . TI = ; , 732 ... ... ... Prov . G . Sec .

„ E . T . Cooksey , P . M . 851 ... ... ... Prov . S . G . D . j „ L . R . Styer , P . M . 315 , 1 947 ••• ••• Prov . J . G . D . „ W . Botting , P . M . 732 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . of W . „ A . Lloyd , P . M . 56 , 1726 ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ A . Brazier , P . M . 1829 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . „ J . Pearce , P . M . 40 ... ... ... ¦•¦ Prov . G . S . B . W 6

" ] Y w ^ \ , M [ Prov . G . Std . Brs „ G . W . Campbell , P . M . 271 ... ... j „ J . Easter , P . M . 916 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ B . Burfield , P . M . 1821 ... ... ... Prov . A , G . Sec . „ ' G . Mitchell , P . M . 1619 ... ... ... Prov . G . P .

„ H . Anscombe , P . M . 1821 ... ... ... Prov . A . Cr . P . „ G . T . Shaft , P . M . 8 n ... ... ¦ ¦¦ ' ] „ G . B . Simpson , P . M . 1141 „ W . Wright , P . M . 1303 ... ... '" j . Prov G Stwds „ J . C . Couldsvell , P . M . 1465 ... ... ... I V "

,, G . Rasvlinson , P . M . 1797 „ J . Cooke , P . M . 1 S 42 ... ... ... J ,, H . H . Hughes ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler . The brethren afterwards dined together in the Assembly Room of the Town Hall . Nearly 200 were present , a much larger number than in any recent year . A magnificent banquet svas supplied by Mr . J . Steinle , of the Queen ' s Hotel , the tables being laid svith great taste . Bro . Sir W . T . Marriott presided .

The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were received with enthusiasm , that of "The Prov . G . M , the Dukeof Connaught , " especially so ; also that of "The Deputy Prov . G . M , Bro . Sir William Marriott . " Bro . Col . SHADWELL H . CLERKE proposed the latter toast . He said on many previous occasions he had had the honour of proposing the toast of the Deputy Provincial Grand Master ,

and he recalled occasions when he had submitted the toast on behalf of the late Bros . Sir Walter Burrell , J . H . Scott , and Gerard Ford . He had had the honour of installing Bro . Sir William Marriott , in the absence of H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught , and he believed their Deputy Provincial Grand Master had carried out his duties to the entire satisfaction of the P . G . Master and the brethren at large .

Bro . Sir W . T . MARRIOTT vvas warmly applauded on rising to respond . It gave him great pleasure , he said , to preside over them at the first meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge in Eastbourne , and also at the banquet held in the magnificent hall in which they were seated . He expressed the great pleasure he felt in having the Mayor of Eastbourne as his Prov . J . G . W , and congratulated him upon the excellent arrangements made for the reception of the Provincial Grand Lodge . He then gave " The Senior and Junior Wardens , and the remaining Officers of Provincial Grand Lodge , Present and Past . " Bros . Major J AMES GRAHAM EDWARDES and W . E . MORRISON responded .

The proceedings throughout were of a most enjoyable character , and the majority of those present expressed great pleasure at the arrangements which had been made at Eastbourne for their comfort . Most of the visiting brethren left b y the 9 . 30 train . The musical programme was entrusted to the Eastbourne Orpheus Glee Union , who rendered in capital style a series of glees , part songs , solos , & c , under the direction of Bro . John Easter , Prov . G . Org .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of West Yorkshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF WEST YORKSHIRE .

A meeting of the above Provincial Grand Lodge was held in the Freemasons ' Hall , St . John ' s-place , Halifax , on Wednesday , the 15 th ult ., under the banner of St . James' Lodge , No . 448 . Present :

Bros . Thomas William Tesv , J . P ., P . G . D . England , Prov . G . M . ; Henry Smith , P . G . D . England , Deputy Prov . G . M . ; William Harrop , P . M . 290 , P . P . S . G . W ., as Prov . S . G . W . ; Thos . Crossley , P . M . 1311 , Prov . J . G . W . ; J . Craven , P . M . 290 , P . P . G . W . ; Isaac Booth , P . M . 61 , P . P . G . W . ; George Brooke , P . M . 242 , P . P . G . W . ; Rev . John H . Evans , M . A ., Chap . 2069 , and Rev . B . Mayou , M . A ., Chap . 974 , Prov . G . Chaps . ;

Rev . I . Parkinson , M . A ., Chap . 61 , P . P . G . C ; Rev . J . J . Needham , M . A ., P . M . gio , P . P . G . C ; Thomas Harrison , P . M . 296 , Prov . G . Treas . ; C . L . Mason , P . M . 304 , P . P . G . Treas . ; Thomas Ruddock , P . M . 275 , P . P . G . Treas . ; Harold Thomas , W . M . 29 G , Prov . G . Reg . ; E . M . Wavell , P . M . 61 , P . P . G . R . ; John C . Malcolm , P . M . 30 G , P . P . G . R . ; Joseph Binney , P . M . 139 , P . P . G . R . ; John E . Craven , P . M . 308 , P . P . G . R . ;

C . M . Wilson , P . M . 974 , P . P . G . R . ; Aulay Macaulay , P . M . 25 S , P . P . G . R . ; Herbert G . E . Green , P . M . 1019 , Prov . G . Sec ; and others . Bros . James Morrison McLeod , P . M ., Sec . R . M . I . B . j and Rev . Henry Ellershasv , M . A ., were present as visitors ,