Provincial Grand Chapter Of East Lancashire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF EAST LANCASHIRE .

The annual meeting cf this important province was held on Monday , the 25 th ult ., at Freemasons' Hall , Cooper-street , Manchester . We think this a move in the right direction , considerirg it is so central to all the towns in the province , and a better place for the purpose could scarcely be imagined , it being thoroughly adapted for such a meeting . Great praise is due to the directors of the Freemasons' Hall Company for the admirable manner in

which they had come forward to meet the views of all the companions . Neither have they spared any expense in trying to administer comfort and elegance to all who may have the privilege of holding their meetings there . The spacious lodge room and banqueting chamber have been magnificently decorated in suitable characters and rich designs for each . The building throughout is lighted with electricity , which gives an air of comfort and delight

as soon as you enter . We trust they will be rewarded by a large number of lodges meeting there . It was a very good augury to see the large gathering at the above meeting . Comp . Col . Le Gendre N . Starkie , Grand Supt ., presided , accompanied by Comps . J . H . Sillitoe , P . G . H . ; James Hellis , P . G . J . ; John Chadwick , P . G . S E . ; and James Newton , P . A . G . S . E . The following companions , and about 170 others , were present :

Comps . J . J . Newbold , P . P . G . S . N . ; Wm . Halstead , P . P . G . Treas . ; S . F Butcher , P . P . Dep . G . Reg . ; f . R . Reydall , P . P . G . Soj . ; E . Hardman , P . P ist A . G . Soj . ; John Hindle , P . P . 2 nd A . G . Soj . ; E . J . Harris , P . P . Dep . G S . B . ; Wm . Shackleton , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; Buckley Carr , P . P . G . D . C ; B . T Sutcliffe , P . P . G . Reg . ; E . G . Harwood , P . P . G . S . N . ; James Townsend , P . P G . S . B . ; the Rev . R . Clayton , P . P . G . S . N . ; Thos . D . Foreman , P . P . G . D . of C .

Nathaniel Nicholson , P . P . G . S . B . ; J . Cliffe , P . P . G . S . B . ; James Kershaw , P . P . G . P . S . ; J . T . Richardson , P . P . A . G . Soj . ; Hy . L . Roller , P . P . G . S . W . ; G . V . Blaikie , P . P . A . G . D . C ; C . D . Cheetham , P . P . G . D . C ; E . Williams , P . P . A . G . Soj . ; Wm . Jaffray , P . P . G . S . N . ; Geo . S . Smith , P . P . G . Org . ; N . Dunville , P . Z ., P . P . G . Std . Br . ; Wm . Booth , P . Z ., P . P . G . D . C . ; A . H . Jefferies , P . G . J . ; John E . Lees , P . P . G . T . ; Abram Clegg , P . P . G . T . ; W . Forrest , P . P . G . P . S . ; and W . Newton , P . P . G . D . C .

A grand procession was formed , and the convocation was opened by the Grand Superintendent . "I he attendance of Provincial G . Officers was very good , two or three being absent , but apologies from those made the list complete . All the chapters were represented but two . The minutes of the last meeting of the Prov . Grand Chapter , held at Rawtenstall on Thursday , 15 th March , 1894 , were read and confirmed .

Comp . WM . HALSTEAD , Prov . G . Treas ., presented his accounts for the past year , and they were adopted , being highly satisfactory . The report of the Ex . Principals was read by Comp . J . H . SILLITOE , and revealed the pleasing fact that Royal Arch Masonry is progressing satisfactorily in the province , and , in conclusion , thanked Comp . Buckley

Carr , P . P . G . D . C , for his great energy displayed in visiting chapters and giving advice and assistance when it was required . The GRAND SUPERINTENDENT proposed a vote of thanks to the two Principals for their comprehensive report , which was carried unanimously , and duly responded to . ' The result of the ballot for Prov . Grand Treasurer fell to Comp . Allitt , P . Z .

Two Auditors were elected for the coming year , but we did not catch their names . The Grand Supei intendent invested his officers as follows : Comp . J . H . Sillitoe ( this investiture caused great applause , it beine the 21 st time the Grand

Superintendent has invesied him ) ... Prov . G . H . „ James Hellis ... ... ... Prov . G . J . „ John Chadwick ... ... ... Prov . G . S . E . „ Tom Garnttt ... ... ... Prov . G . S . N .

„ W . T . Allitt ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ S . Butcher ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ Col . H . J . Robinson ... ... ... Prov . D . G . Reg . „ Nathaniel Nicholson ... ... ... Prov . G . P . Soj . „ S . W . Shorrock ... ... ... Prov . ut A . G . Soj . „ ' J . Thornley ... ... ... Prov . 2 nd A . G . S . „ VV . Bolt ... ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B . „ Dan Lord ... ... ... ... Prov . D . G . S . B . , „ R . L . McMillan ... ... ... *) „ J . Garside ... ... ... i Prov . G . Std . Brs . „ John Heap ... ... ... „ W . H . Peak ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . ' , ' , Fletcher Armstrong ' . ' . ' . ' . ' . ' . "" ] Prov . A . G . D . Cs . „ Robert Wrigley ... ... ... Piov . G . Org . „ James Newton ... ... ... Prov . A . G . S . E „ A . H . Flower ... ... ... Prov . G . Janitor . There was a notice of motion upon the agenda for £ w to be contributed from the funds of the Provincial Grand Chapter to the East Lmcashire Systematic Masonic Educational Benevolent Institution , but , in

consideration of ihe coming festival to be held on July 3 rd next , it was unanimously agreed to augment the sum to £ 20 . There were two applications made from compinions from Burnley and Rochdale forthe Prov . Grand Chapter to be held there next year , both being left to the consideration of the Grand Superintendent . The Prov . Grand Chapter was then closed .

Great preparation had been mide for the banquet which sub ; eq lently was held , at which Comp . Col . Starkie presided with his usual geniality and ability .

The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given and respsnded to . A p rogramme of excellent music had been provided , and was under the direction of Comp . Robert Wriglev , the vocalists being Comps . N . I . Siokes K- Rudman , N . Dumville , P . Z ., P . P . G . Std . Br .,, and Wm . Bjoth , P . P . G ! l J'C . The whole programme was beautifully rendered . ' .

Consecration Of The Clissold Lodge, No. 2551.

CONSECRATION OF THE CLISSOLD LODGE , No . 2551 .

The number of lodges in the northern district of the Metropolis was increased on the 29 th ult ., by the consecration of the Clissold Lodge , No . 2551 , at the Highbury Railway Station Hotel . The new venture owes its origin in a great measure to Bro . Rob . Emery , J . W ., who was assisted in

his efforts by many brethren interested in Stoke Newington . The lodge possesses a large body of founders , and under the ruling of Bro . W . M . Stiles , the Grand Treasurer elect , with Bro . C . F . Hogard , P . G . S . B . in the Secretarial chair , should be heard of in the future as doing good and useful Masonic work .

The consecration ceremony was performed by Bro . E . Letchworth , G . Sec , assisted by Bros . C E . Keyser , P . G . D ., as S . W . ; J . H . Matthews , P . D . G . D . C , as J . W . ; Rev . J . Studholme Brownrigg , P . G . Chap ., as Chap . ; F . Richardson P . G . D ., as D . C . ; and C . F . Matier , P . G . S . B ., as LG .

The founders present included Bros . W . M . Stiles , P . M ., G . Treas , elect , W . M . designate ; J . J . Lamigeon , S . W . designate ; R . Emery , J . W designate ; C . F . Hogard , P . G . S . B . ; T . Carleton , W . Hicklin , P . M , 1261 ; H . Townend , H . Kenney , G . S . Elliott , P . M . ; Montague Hibbard , A . H . Cooper , W . R . Itter , and many others .

Visitors : Bros . G . Read , G . S . B . ; E . Terry , P . G . Treas . ; Capt . T . C Walls . G . S . B . ; J . Terry , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . B . I . ; G . Lewis , P . M . 2206 ; A . H . Cole W . M . 1744 ; F . Tomlin , I . P . M . 1360 ; H . L . Sarson , 2242 ; H . W . Schartau , P . P . G . Org . ; T . Holbecke , 504 ; R . J . Bartlett , 2030 ; W . Bradford , 2168 ; J . L . Ellis , 195 ; H . Stiles , P . M . 1507 ; W . A . Scurrah , P . P . G . S . of W . Middx . ; A . H . Scurrah , P . P . G . S . of W . Middx . ; Sir J . A . Hanham , Bart ., P . M . 1523 ; H . C . Turner

W . M 1662 ; E . Hobbs , I . P . M . 453 ; J . J . Thomas , P . M . 753 ; J . S . Taylor , W . M . 929 ; J . Bruton , 228 ; H . G . Welch , 1205 ; C . J . Mickley , P . M . 1 744 ; W . W , Langley , I . P . M . 2206 ; S . G . Hayworth , 2150 ; W . Thompson , 1695 ; It . Harrold , 1185 : B . Bridgman , 144 ; H . A . Badman , 1298 ; W . Potter , P . M . 1260 ; .. W . Macfarlane , S . W . 27 ; G . P . Pointer , P . M . 1613 ; H . Gross , P . P . G . D . C . ; Orlton

Cooper , P . M . 211 ; M . Phillips , 2365 ; C . H . Gompertz , P . P . G . S . B . Herts . ; J . G . W , James , I . P . M . 795 ; H . Hicklin , 12 6 * 1 ; C . Mussared , P . M . 2500 ; J . Stephens , P . P . G . D . Bucks . ; T . Jefferies , S . W . 1744 ; F . Callingham , 1775 ; C . Wilding . P . M . 1541 ; J . N . Hare , P . M . 1260 ; L . H . Baker , 2472 ; R . Baker , P . M . 188 ; W . J . Ferguson , P . M . 177 ; W . Wright , P . P . G . Org . ; J . Starkey , 132 ; A . Wilson , P . M . 2146 ; Walter Martin , P . M . 2500 ; W . W . Lee , W . M . 18 97 , and others .

After the opening of the lodge in the Three Degrees , a hymn was sung . The CONSECRATING OFFICER then said it vould be unnecessary for him to detain them with any words of his own on the present occasion . They were all aware of the object for which they had met . He was present by command of the M . W . Giand Master as his most unworthy representative for the purpose of undertaking a most solemn duty—the constitution of a

new lodge and its dedication to Almighty God . He could assure them it gave him peculiar pleasure to attend and assist in bringing into existence a lodge which would enjoy the benefit of being presided over in its first year by so popular and genial a brother as Bro . W . M . Stiles , whom he hoped shortly to have the honour of placing in the chair . He could only hope that under Bro . Stiles ' s genial and able rule this lodge might have before it a career of grevt prosperity .

An eloquent oration was delivered by Bro . Rev . J . Studholme Brownrigg on the nature and principles of the Order , and the new lodge was solemnly dedicated and constituted with the usual impressive ceremonial . The Grand Secretary installed Bro . W . M . Stiles , Grand Treasun r elect , as W . M .. and the following officers were invested : Bros . W . W . Hayworth ,

P . M . 1261 , acting I . P . M . ; J . J . Lamigeon . S . W . ; Rob . Emery , J . W . ; Thos . Carleton , Treas . ; Charles Frederick Hogard , P . G . Std . Br ., Sec . ; Harrv Townend . S . D . ; H . Kenney , J . D . ; W . Hicklin , P . M . 1261 , D C ; W . Wiwht . P . P . G . Org . Mddx ., Org . ; Alfred H . Cooper , l . G . ; G . S . Elliott , P . M . 8 ( 19 , Montague Hibbard , and W . R . Itter , Stwds . ; and T . C . Edmonds , P . M . 1507 , Tyler .

On the proposition of the W . M ., seconded by the S . W ., a hearty vote of thanks was accorded the Consecrating Officer and his colleagues , and they were unanimously elected honorary members . The Grand Secretary was presented with a founders' jewel as a souvenir of the occasion .

Bro . E . LETCHWORTH , Grand Sec , tendered thanks for the compliment paid in the resolution passed , and for the election of himself and colleag les as honorary members . Personally he thanked them for the beautiful jnwel so kindly presented to him . which would be an interesting souvenir of au occasion he should not readilv forget .

Bro . Hayworth , acting I . P . M ., and Bro . Emery , J . W ., were cordially thanked for presentation of Iodge furniture . Lidge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to a banquet , which was served uidtr the pergonal supervision of Bro . Tuck . The usual toaits were then heartily given from the chair and cord-a'ly received .

" The Queen and the Craft" and " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M . " were given . The W . M . then proposed " The Grand Officers , " making graceful reference to the members of that body present . Bro , FRANK RICHARDSON , P . G . D ., in response , said it was a great honour to have his name coupled with those of such noblemen and

brethren as were comprised in the toast , and he could assure them he felt the honour deeply . His Royal Highness , in appointing Lords Lathom and Mount Edgcumbe , must have had great foresight , because he could not have selected Masons more competent 10 fill their respective posts . His Royal Highness had also exercised a great discretion in appointing another Grand Officer—ihe Grand Secretary—who had not occupied the position

many years but had added lustre to it , and had shown how the work ought and could be done . With regard to the other Grand Officers , they all felt the honour cast upon them by wearing the Purple , and were pleased to do some work to show their appreciation of that honour . The Grand Officers were glad to hold out ihe right hand of fellowship to those fortunate brethren who ascend to the dais ) and during the next tew months there would be

many whom they would bi able to welcome . It had given the Grand Officers pleasure to inaugurate that lod g " , which from the start made would doubtless take a good position . He wished the W . M . a- successful year of office , and hoped the lodge would take a prominent place amongst lodges . , In proposing " The Coniecrating Master , " the W . M . said it was a redletter day for the ledge to be ' eonsecrated by ' so esteemed a brother 3 S the