Provincial Grand Lodge Of West Lancashire.

eminent a d » gree characterised the bsneficent rule of his late father . ( Hear , hear . ) During the year two new lodges had been added to the roll—namely , Fylde , No . 2758 , of which his lordship was the first Master , and Southport Temperance , No . 2 S 15 . Warrants had also been granted for a new lodge at Aintree , No . 2814 , and a fourth lodge to meet at Widnes . The numbsr of candida ' es initiated during the year was 776 . and the roll of members was greater than at any previous time in the annals of the province . The

income during the year was ^ 1072 , and the ordinary expenditure £ 658 , leaving available £ 400 , which had been devoted to benevolence , in the shape of grants to widows and aeed brethren , to the Preston Royal Infirmary , and to the West Lancashire Masonic Institu ' . ions . The fund raised to perpetuate the memory of the late Lord Lathom had realised over £ 3000 , which would shortly be allocated to the benevolent Institutions of West Lancashire .

The Earl of LATHOM , in commenting on the report , said he rejoiced that the Prov . Grand Lodge was so prosperous . He assured the brethren that he should never forget the reception which they gave him last year . During the past 12 months ihey had made what he could only describe as a magnificent gift to Charity in subscribing over £ 3000 to ths memory of his dear father . ( Hear , hear . ) He thanked them from the bottom of his heart for that gift , which he felt would . keep green the memory of one who he knew

was beloved by them all . Referring to the increase of four lodges in the province , his lordship remarked that their numbers were increasing , he might say , almost daily , and as they were a great province it behoved them to be careful whom they admitted to Masonry . The province did not want one single initiate into Masonry for the sake of his subscription . Each candidate could only be acceptable if he was a good man and true , and ,

therefore , likely to make a good Mason . Proceeding , his lordship reminded the brethren that his father received during his lifetime a number of presentation malls in connection with the Masonic laying of foundation-stones , and it had occurred to him that , instead of allowing them all to remain idle at Lathom House , he would like to present the one he thought most suitable for the purpose to the Prov . Grand Lodge for the use of the Prov . G . Master , whoever he might be .

Bro . R . WYLIE moved that the hindsome gift ( an ivory mall ) be received with great pleasure , and that the thanks of the Prov . G . Lodge be tendered to his lordship . ( Applause . ) Bro . Captain GARNETT , Grand D . of E ., seconded the motion , which was carried by acclamation .

As Prov . G . T ., Bro . Thomas Edwards , P . M . 1380 , was elected by a large majority , Bro . E . Kite , P . M . 823 , also a candidate , withdrawing on the show of hands . The following were elected auditors : Bros . Jamss Platt , J . J . Lambert , T . Callow , G . A . Harradon , and R . P . White .

On the motion of Bro . R . WYLIE , seconded by Bro . J HOLLOING 225 guineas were voted as under : 50 guineas to the Fund for the Relief of Masons in South Africa , 50 guineas to the Indian Famine Fund , 50 guineas to the West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution , 50 guineas to the Alpass Institution , and 25 guineas to the Hamer Institution . Bro . J . W . BURGESS stated that £ 4000 had been placed in the hands of the Grand Master of Capetown for the relief of Masons in distress through

the war . The PROV . G . MASTER added that he should send the contribution to the Indian Famine Fund direct to the Viceroy of India ( Lord Curzon ) , who , as a politician , had had some connection with West Lancashire , and therefore would be able the more highly to appreciate the gift . A collection taken in aid of the Royal Albert Asylum , Lancaster , realised ^ 32 5 s . The Prov . G . Master invested the Prov . G . Officers for the ensuing year

as follows : Bro . Thomas E . Withington ,.. ... ... Prov . S . G . W . „ T . Thornhill Shann , 2109 ... ... Prov . J . G . W . „ the Rev . Canon E . E . Wood , 5 S 9 ... - 1 Prov G Chans „ the Rev . E . W . W . Kaye , 4 S 4 ... ... i P

„ Thomas Edwards , 1380 ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ Cyril Beever , 1375 ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ F . Smith , 86 ... ... ... Dep . Prov . G . Reg „ W . Goodacre ... ... ... Prov . G . Sec . „ W . B . Roberts , 148 ... ... ... ) „ Dr . W . H . Murdock , 2294 ... •¦•\ Prov . S . G . Ds . ,, T . E . Chambers , 2360 ... ... ... J ,, William Taberner , 2326 ... ... " ) „ H . Fox Wright , 1313 »•- ... [ Prov . J . G . D 5 . „ James Hesketh , 1313 ... ... ... J „ Robert W . Gow , 823 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . of Wks „ Peter Rawsthorne , 2325 ... ... Prov . G . D . C .

„ David Gabrielson , 1502 ... ... Prov . D . G . D . C . „ J . L . Godden , 1561 ... ... ... ) „ F . A . R . Neale , 2405 ... ... ... > Prov . A . G . Ds . of C

„ Joseph Hartley , 2605 ... ... ...J „ Charles Marsh , 673 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B . „ Wilbam Boden , 1588 ... ... ... Prov . D . G . S . B . „ E . L . Adams , 2679 " < Prov . G . Std . Brs . ,, John Proctor , 607 ... ... ... ) „ Edwin Myres , 314 ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . ,, Lawrence Walmesley , 9 86 ... ... Prov . Asst . G . Sec „ Thomas H . Evans , 724 ... ... ... Prov . G . Purst . John Adams ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Purst .

„ E . Wilson ... ... ... ... 1 ,, John Clayton ... ... ... I „ Thomas Baxter ... ... - I Prov . G . Stwds

„ J . L . Barrow ... ... ... | ,, James Heald „ C . F . Seward ... ... ... J ' W . J . Doran ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler

A number of Charity jewels were presented , and the PROV . G . MASTER thanked the large number of brethren present for their attendance and support . It was stated that the Lathom Memorial Fund , amounting to over / 3-co , will shortly be allocated .

THE MEMBERS of the London and Middlesex Arch . Tilogical Society will pay a visit to WantBRt , the Vale of White Horse , and White Horse hill , Berkshire , on Saturday , the 14 th instant .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Somersetshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF SOMERSETSHIRE .

Friday , the 29 th ult ., was a red letter day in the history of Freemasonry at Portishead . The Eldon Lodge , No . 1755 , had the honour of entertaining the Provincial Grand Lodge of Somerset under their banner , and all the arrangements incidental to such an important function were admirably carried out . It had long been the wish of ths Portishead Lodge to entertain their provincial brethren , but the lack of accommodation had

until recently proved an insurmountable obstacle . The erection of an Assembly Hall , however , made the visit practicable , and the officers of the local lodge having extended the invitation , made the most complete arrangements for the gathering . The VVorshi pfuI Master , Bro . Edward Tedder , had the valuable assistance of his Wardens , Bros . H . Stafford and C . J . Tonkin , and the Officers and Past Masters of the lodge in working out the

detai's , and a successful meeting was the result . Perhaps the most gratifying feature of the occasion was the unexpected presence of the Right Worshipful the Prov . Grand Master , Viscount Dungarvan , who only returned two days ago from South Africa . The brethren were delighted to find him looking extremely well , notwithstanding the vicissitudes which he had undergone , and tbey accorded him a right hearty welcome . The

Dep . Prov . Grand Master , Bro . R . C . Else , was also able to attend , and the brethren extended to him sincere congratulations on his restoration to his former health . Every lodge in the province was represented , Bath , Westonsuper-Mare , and Clevedon supplying a strong muster . The Eldon Lodge was consecrated in 1 S 78 , but it was not until Friday , the 29 th ult ., that it had the honour of entertaining the Provincial Grand Lodge . The Assembly

Hall was prettily decorated . The banners of the 26 lodges were suspended round the room , in addition to the handsome banner of the Provincial Grand Lodge . Above each was a festoon of ivy and evergreen , and other floral decorations were effectively introduced . Among those who attended were Bros . Viscount Dungarvan , Prov . G . Master ; R . C . Else , Dep . Prov . G . Master ;

T . P . Ashley , P . P . S . G . W . ! G . H . Bartlett , P . PJ . G . W . ; W . T . Shapland , P . P . G . D . ; the Rev . T . H . Langford Sainsbury , P . P . G . Chap . ; F . T . Elworthy , P . P . S . G . W . ; W . M . Rice , P . P . S . G . W . ; L . Howes , P . P . G . D . C ; J . Hayward , P . P . G . S . B . ; E . VV . Loveless , P . G . P . ; G . Norman , P . J . G . W . ; W . J . Nosworthy , P . G . W . ; C . L . Thomas , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; H . Harold , P . P . G . S . B . ; C . Curd , P . P . G . W . ; G . H . Kite , P . P . G . R . ; H . Pittard , P . P . G . S . ; J . R . Thebridge , P . P . G . D . ; E . E . Phillips , P . J . G . W . ; J . Cruse , P . P . G . R . ; R . Moody , P . P . A . G . P . ;

W . B . Biggs , P . P . S . G . W . Gloucestershire ; A . Hayman , P . P . G . S . W . ; W . T . Shapland , P . P . G . D . ; J . VV . Pitts , P . P . G . T . ; W . M . Stead , P . P . G . S . B . ; E . G . Austin , P . P . G . D . C ; 0 . A . G . Collins , P . G . S . B . ; J . Hunt , P . P . G . S . ; F . A . Hyndman , P . A . G . D . C ; T . A . Smith , P . P . G . O . ; T . Wake , P . G . S . B . South Wales ; H . W . Collins , P . P . S . G . W . ; W . North , P . P . S . G . D . Monmouth ; C J . Baldwin , P . P . S . G . D . ; W . C Jarrett , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; I . Parker , P . P . J . G . D . ; and E . Thatcher , P . P . G . O .

The Prov . G . Treasurer ( Bro . C . L . F . Edwards ) presented the accounts , which showed that an adverse balance had been converted into a favourable balance of £ 41 . On the motion of Bro . DELHV , seconded by Bro . NOSWORTHY , thc accounts were approved .

Bro . ASHLEY , P . P . S . G . W ., proposed the re-election of Bro . C . L . F . Edwards to the office of Treasurer , and this was seconded by Bro . F . T . ELWORTHY , P . P . S . G . W ., and carried unanimously . The DEI-. PROV . G . MASTER welcomed Viscount Dungarvan amongst the brethren . The last time he heard from his lordshi p was when he was in South Africa , since which he had had many unpleasant experiences . He felt certain that his lordship would be among them that day when he heard

that he had only just returned from the front , and he was not disappointed . Viscount DUNGARVAN thanked the brethren of Somersetshire for the staunch support which they gave him in connection with the Girls' Festival last year , which established a record in the history of Somersetshire Masonic Charities . They held a place second to none so far as donations were concerned . « The following were appointed as the Provincial Grand Officers for the year : Bro . R . E . Dickinson , M . P ., 973 ... ,,, Prov . S . G . W . „ C . P . Billing , 1755 ... ... ... Prov . J . G . W . „ Rev . H . L . Barnwell , 772 ... ... ) D n _ , „ Rev . E . A . Purvis , 379 ... ... ... j Prov - G - cha P - „ C . L . F . Edwards ( re-elected ) ,.. ... Prov . G . Treas . „ F . W . Bishop , 291 ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ E . F . Wade ( re-appointed ) ... ... Prov . G . Sec . „ VV . C . Leaker , 772 ... ... ... p v . S . G . D . „ S . F . Goodall , 446 •••... ... Prov . J . G . D . „ G . VV . Knowles , 1 iyy ... ... ... Prov . G . S . of W . „ W . H . Westlake , 1966 ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ VV . C . Thomas , 1222 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . : I W . W . Webber , 814 ... ... ... p v . G . S . B . „ W . VV . Callander , 1197 ... ... ... ) „ W . Collett , 1833 ... ... ... j Pf ° v- G . Std . Brs . „ R . W . Hartntll , 261 ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ H . VV . Pearson , 1296 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Sec . „ J . W . Davis , 2390 ... ... ... Prov . G . Purst .

„ S . H . knight , 203 S ... ... ... Pr 0 v . A . G . Purst . „ Rev . H . N . Dymond , 1 953 ... ... " v „ R . W . Mattock , 1199 ... ... ... f Prov . G . Stewards . „ E . Davey , P . M . 1755 ... ... .,. ) „ A . J . Salter ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler . „ S . Bigwood ... ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Tyler .

The DEP . PROV . G . MASTER reported that the Charity Organisation Committee ' s labours had met with success during the past year , and incidentally mentioned that no candidate who had been taken up by the Somerset province had ever failed . On the motion of liro . ASHLEY , a vote of t ' nanks was accorded to Bro . Else for his efforts in aid of the Masonic Charities . Bro . C . L . F . EDWARDS proposed a grant of 5 ) guineas fron the funds of the Provincial Grand Lodge to the South Afncai M iso . iic R- ; lief Fund , and this was agreed to . \ The alms collected vvere voted to the Ssamsn ' s Institute , the amsunt being . £ 5 17 s .