Presentations To Bro. W. H. Wooldridge.

1 go'd , and the clock forms an exceedingly handsome " beet A p late in front bears the following inscription : ° Presented by the Council of the Isle of Wight Conservai * e Association to W . H . Wooldridge Esq ., on the occasion f his marriage , in recognition of his services to the Con-01 " .

,, rvative cause . The members of the Sandown Conservative Club , on the me ausp icious occasion , have presented Bro . Wooldridge Sa * th a handsome writing case , suitably inscribed , and the Sandown Lodge , No . 1 S 69 , of which Bro . Wooldridge was e of the founders , has given him a superb silver salver , ? L „ nresents being accompanied by all good wishes and

cordial expressions of personal regard . If not too late in the day , we should like to add our felicitations , and to heartily wish Bro . and Mrs . Wooldridge every happiness .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . G . P . BROCKBANK , P . G . STD . BR . On Saturday last , the Province of East Lancashire sustained a severe loss by the sudden demise of one of its most zealous and active members—Bro . George Parker Brockbank , of Bolton , P . P . S . G . D ., and P . G . Std . Br . of Fneland . Deceased was one of the best known and hardest

working Masons in the province . He had for some time past been subject to chronic bronchitis , but of late had been much better , and attended to his business matters and Masonic duties with almost more than usual activity . So recently as the previous Friday he was in Manchester on Masonic business , and returned to his resijence , Gray ' s-

tetrace , St . George ' s-road , Bolton , about half-past six in [ he evening , apparently as well as he had been for some months past . He occupied himself during the evening by writing several letters , the last one being a letter to a wellknown London brother , condoling with him on the death of his son . He retired to rest between 10 and n o ' clock

still apparently in his usual health . About half-past one on Saturday morning , however , he was seized by a violent attack of coughing . He got out of bed , but the coughing in no sense abated , and eventually the strain was so great , that he burst a small blood vessel in the head . Dr . Derham , his next-door neighbour , was promptly in attendance ,

and as soon as possible was followed by Dr . Gillibrand , but it was quickly seen that there was no hope of the patient ' s recovery . Bro . Brockbank very soon became unconscious , and after lingering for close upon seven hours quietly passed away . Our lamented brother was born on the 13 th April , 1826 , and was thus in his 63 rd year . As a lad he was a

student at the Bolton Grammar school , being cotemporary there with many of Bolton ' s worthiest citizens , several of whom have pre-deceased him . He started his business career as a clerk in Messrs . Hardcastle and Cross ' s Bank ( now the Manchester and Salford ) , but subsequently set up in business for himself as an tstate agent and

accountant . In this capacity , by his unwearying devotion to business , he earned for himself an excellent name , and in 1 S 51 became associated with the Corporatioa as one of its numerous officials . First he was entrusted simply with a small rate ; then in November , 1851 , he became collector of the whole of the Little Bolton and Haulgh district rates ; and

, finally , in 1875 , he was appointed collector of the entire borough and district rates . The whole of his duties—in which he was assisted by his eldest son , Mr . George Arthur Brockbank—were most efficiently discharged , and it is estimated that on an average fully £ 65 , 000 of Corporate moneys passed through his hands yearly . Owing to his

position , Bro . Brockbank never sought public honour ; but as the representative of Quarlton on the Board of Guardians and on the Rural Sanitary Authority for five or six yearshis term of office only closing with his demise—he applied his energies , heart and soul , to the welfare of his constituents and the community generally . He ever took a

deep interest in the working of societies conducive to thrift , and was Secretary to the bolton Property and Investment tompany ( Limited ) , from its formation until recently , when he was elevated to the position of Chairman of Directors . He also officiated as Secretary of the Bolton Finance and Building Company ( Limited ) , from its formation until his j — •» . J v— - ——/ J -- —• -- iv t' -u ' . ju-. i u 11 ni ma

uecease . But whilst appreciated in many capacities , he won his greatest laurels in Masomy , his wonderful enthusiasm and strict attention to the numerous duties earning for "im the goodwill and warmest encomiums of the whole Craft , "elerring speciall y to his Masonic career , we may say that MO , Brockbank was initiated in the St . John ' s Lodge , No .

ail * . '* J L " ' 0 n the ' J anuarv * lS 46 , he not having then VV M h | s majority . In January , 1849 , he was installed '' " * ' besides having been Secretary of the lodge for fmm o years » he held the office of Treasurer continuously Nn 7 2 , 0 l 8 S 7 * He joined the Anchor and Hope Lodge , anri 37 ' c 0 n > in lS 7 ° ; he was installed VV . M . in 18 S 3 ; thai * a r creiar y at the time of his death , he having held offic * . nf T ° r the , ast nine or ten * ears >* He aIso held the ^MSraw^caSE^,1187/he«• mi

1121 nf D 1 ' ¦• " ¦• « . . . JI .. ucurge » ljUUge , 1 \ 0 . Forfii . fi ° , ton J he was also Secretary ofthe Lodge of memw L ?* ?* . ¦ Manchester , of which he was a joining it'i- ? 8 office , from , 8 S 3 to ' 837 , and at asWM i ? J deathwas W . M . elect . His installation been lZ' r- have taken P Iace on lhe 8 th inst . if he had bur 4 M „ '" , ?; . " ? s affil'ated to the Lodge of Edin-KilSinnin ' !^^ . Chapel ) in July , 1881 , and Mother ]„ ¦ .., i ^ S Lodge in lulv . 1884 . He was PYalr-vI in c ; f

s « ccessiv ° r Arcl ? J C 1 P ' - No . 221 , in May , , 847 , and was a ¦ £ ; * y occu P , ed the principal chairs in 1849-50-1 . He cord AJ ! S member and Past Z . of the Chapter of Con" e Provm 7 " e Sse servlces were honourably recognised in keen ml * ° East Lancashire , Bro . Brockbank having D eacon i „ o Prov * Grand Steward in l 8 49- and Prov . S . G . "nent as r J " , He was further honoured by appointth < - Roval Tt Standard Bearer of England in 1885 . In T | easun » r P B * he served the office of Prov . Grand a "d in Voa " I 8 73 ' and Prov * Grand Scribe N . in 1882 , P .... . °° S was aoonintp-1 Accicf ^ ni- r . „ r . A n :. „_ . i

! St Tnhl ? , , g | and * He was P . M . and Treasurer of W -M . ' nf ,- _ ? D Lodge . Bolton ( T . L ) , was founder and first l * 72 - * a pL ° p e and „ rhistle Lodge , No . 158 , Wigan , in o the Smtt- f * Grand Warden Lancashire , under ^ rand WaT , ¦ Eig- 'sh Constitutions , and a Past Patc » tof , s „ ° / ,. Mark Gra » d Lodge of England , by Je ? 47 , when I' Hls . weer in Templar Masonry dates from D mpme „ t W u S lnSta "? . d in the St * J ohn of Jerusalem a EP rf » i ? ^ J Past E C and Treasurer , and he Warrant nf e L- - _ ^ Pre ceptory , Manchester , for •""• ot which he was one of the petitioners .

Obituary.

He was a P . P . Grand Constable Lancashire , and a Past ist Grand Captain of England . In the affiliated Order of Malta he was a Past Prov . Grand ist Lieutenant . In the Ancient and Accepted Rite he was perfected in the Palatine Rose Croix Chapter , Bolton , in 1856 , was founder and M . W . S . of the St . Peter ' s Chapter , bolton , 1871 , and has been numbered amongst the members of the 32 nd Degree

for the last two or three years . He was admitted a Knight ol the Royal Order of Scotland in 1873 , and was successively Prov . Grand Treasurer , Prov . S . G . Warden , Deputy Prov . Grand Master , and Prov . Grand Treasurer Lancashire and Cheshire . He was a member of the Rosicrucian Society of England , became IX . Degree in 1 SS 1 , and Chief Adept Lancashire in 18 S 3 . IntheOrderof Rome and the

Red Cross of Constantine he held the rank of an Intendant General of Division unattached . In addition , he was a Past Grand Steward of the Grand Lodge of Scotland , an honorary member of sundry Masonic bodies , Chairman of the Manchester Masonic Charitable Association , and Vice-Chairman of the East Lancashire Systematic Benevolent Association . Bro . Brockbank had not only qualified as

Vice-President of each of the Charitable Institutions of the Order , but had likewise taken upon himself the office of Stewardat something like 22 of their Anniversary Festivals . In recognition of Bro . Brockbank ' s appointment as Grand Standard Bearer of England , a complimentary dinner was given to him in the Freemasons' Hall , Manchester , on July 24 th 1885 . Col . Starkie , R . W . Prov . Grand Master ,

presided , and a presentation was made for which £ 200 had been subscribed . This took the form af an elaborate testimonial on vellum , a silver tea and coffee service , and a complete suit of dress and undress Grand Lodge clothing ; the balance of the subscription , amounting to £ 125 , being given , at Bro . Brockbank's wish , to the various Masonic Charities . Bro . Brockbank was the author of several

Iodge histories for private circulation , which are highly valued by the Craft , and one of these is now in the press . Bro . Brockbank was as well kno . vn in London as he was in East Lancashire , and when the Prince of VVales made him a Grand Standard Bearer in Grand Lodge , in 1 SS 5 , the appointment was hailed with the liveliest satisfaction . His last attendance in London was on the Sth May , when , as

Vice-Chairman of the Charity Committee of East Lancashire , along with the Chairman ( Bro . J . A . Birch ) , and the Prov . G . Secretary ( Bro . Jno . Chadwick ) , he represented the province at the election on the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , and had he survived , it was his intention to have been present at the Centenary Festival of the Girls ' School this week . Deceased ' s widow survives him , as do

also three sons ( two married ) and an unmarried daughter , and we are sure the numerous admirers of our deceased and lamented brother will deeply sympathise with the survivors in their unexpected and melancholy bereavement . The interment took place on Tuesday , the 5 th inst ., in the family vault at Tonge Cemetery . The funeral itself was private in character , in delerence to the wishes of the

family of the deceased brother , but the Freemasons of the town imparted to the sad ceremonial somewhat the appearance of a public demonstration by attending in very large numbers at the Cemetery to testify their sense of the loss sustained in the removal of such a valued member of the Craft . The brethren were not attired in Masonic regalia , but wore white gloves and ties , whilst sprigs of the

emblematic acacia were almost universally apparent . 1 he private cortege left the residence of the deceased , 120 , St . George'sroad , at half-past eleven . The carriage preceding the hearse contained the Rev . Neville Jones , M . A ., vicar of St . George ' s , and Dr . Gillibrand , the deceased brother ' s medical adviser . The hearse , drawn by four horses , containing the coffin , which was of oak with brass mountings ,

and enclosing a shell , the inscription being " George Parker Brockbank ; died June 2 , 1888 . Aged 62 years . " Carriage containing Mr . G . A . Brockbank , Mr . F . Brockbank , and Mr . C . K . Brockbank , sons of the deceased . Carriage containing Mr . A . Entwisle , nephew ; Mr . H . Entwisle , nephew ; Mr . Joseph Taylor , brother-in-law ; and Mr . G . Brockbank , nephew . Carriage containing the Mayor (

AldermanT . Moscrop , J . P . ) and Alderman Kevan . Carriage containing Mr . G . Swainson , Borough Treasurer , and Mr . C . R . Hinnell ( representing the Town Clerk , Mr . R . G . Hinnell , who was absent in London on Corporation business ) . Carriage containing Mr . J . Dickinson , President ; Mr . George Stirling , Vice-President ; Mr . W . Rigby ( ex-Vice-President ); and Mr . E . Bolton , Secretary ,

representing the Park Hill Bowling Green Company , Limited , of which the deceased was a shareholder . Carriage containing Alderman Nicholson , J . P ., Thomas Graves , M . Burgess , and W . Green ( representing the Bolton Permanent Building Society ) , and R . Hough , jun . Carriage of Alderman Glaister , J . P . ( closed . ) Carriage of Alderman B . A . Dobson , J . P . ( closed . ) The cemetery was the

centre of attraction to a large assemblage of sorrowing spectators , including some 200 Freemasons , the Province of East Lancashire being well represented . Amongst those who signed the roll at the entrance to the cemetery gates were the following : Bros . Geo . Mellor , Deputy Prov . G . M . ; John Chadwick , Past G . S . B ., Prov . G . Sec ; J . L . Hine , P . P . S . G . W . ; Jas . Walker , P . P .

J . G . W . ; E . G . Harwood , P . P . J . G . W . ; T . J . Hooper , P . P . G . Treas . ; W . Nicholl , P . P . G . Treas . ; J . F , Tweedale , P . P . G . Reg . ; Thos . Chorlton , P . P . G . Keg . ; J . M . Rutter , PP . G . keg . ; N . Nicholson , Prov . S . G . D . ; Peter Royle , M . D ., P . P . S . G . D . ; James Newton , P . P S . G . D ., Prov . A . G . Sec ; J . W . laylor , P . P . S . G . D . * W . J . Cunliffe , P . P . S . G . D . ; James Hoimes , P . P . J . G . D . ;

Stephen Smith , P . P . G . S . of W . ; J . W . Kenyon , P . P . G . S . of W . ; R . Herwood , P . P . G . S . of W . ; John Morris , P . P . G . S . of W . ; Wm . Nicholson , P . P . G . S . B . ; Richard Duxbury , P . P . G . S . B . ; Wm . Cooper , Prov . G . Std , Br . ; John Alcock , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; Wm . Bostock , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; Henry Greenwood , P . P . G . Purst . ; R . R . Lissenden , Prov . G . Stwd . ; E . W . Irving , Prov . G .

Stwd . ; James Horrocks , P . P . G . Stwd . ; Thos . Higson , Prov . G . Tyler ; R . H . Swindlehurst , P . P . G . S . B . Cheshire ; F . A . Huet , P . P . G . Purst . Staffordshire ; also the following members of deceased's mother lodge , viz . t Bros . Jas . Walker , I . P . M . ; R . Cuerdcn , S . W . ; John Mitchell , P . M . ; Thos . Morris , P . M . ; E . Melrose , P . M . ; J . Boothroyd , P . M . ; W . Wadeson , P . M . ; Wm .

Hewitt , P . M . ; J . F . Elliston , J . J . Bentley , T . S . Atkinson , W . H . Brown , D . W . Stevenson , H . Critchley , H . B . Truman , John Ratcliffe , Louis Hohschild , W . Bryce , R . Marginson , W . H . Bridge , J . Seddon , Jonas Fletcher ; and members of other lodges : Bros . W . H . Lomax , W . M . ; Jas . Naylor , S . W . ; J . W . Poyntz , P . M . ; W . H . Horrocks , P . M . ; Thos . Cooper , J . W . Thompson , Thos . Murphy , Wm , Golding . Geo . Crowther , G . E * Greenhalgh ,

Obituary.

Thos . Barnes , and H . L . Hinnell , of 37 ; W . Downs , S . W . ; Hy . Ainsworth , P . M . ; R . Horridge , P . M . ; J . Dooley , P . M . ; J . F . Skelton , P . M . ; Wm . Bromley , Wm . Long , N . Tyldsley , John Baldshaw , T . Hamer , J . G . Carter , W . J . Field , W . Harrison , H . Walker , and John Binns , of 146 ; James Eckersley , S . VV . ; Geo . Barnes , I . W . ; Samuel Barrett , P . M . ; W . Crankshaw , P . M .:

J . Paitington , P . M . ; R . H . Phillips , P . M . ; E . Gregory , Morris , N . Yates , VV . Greenwood , R . Hampson , R . Williamson , W . Pollitt , C . Holgate , VV . Green , W . Baron , James Mantell , and T . H . Heyes , of 348 ; W . E . Bardsluy , VV . M . ; M . ' Fielding , J . W . ; T . H . Greenhalgh , P . M . ; W . Blain , P . M . ; John Bromley , P . M . ; John Barrett , P . M . ; T . B . Tong , P . M . ; J . W . Forbes , Thos . Arden ,

H . M . Staveley , J . Ratcliffe , T . E . Smith , VV . Altham , W . Townsend , Robert Gowanlock , and Thomas Morris , of 1723 ; James Wilson , P . M . 317 ; Joseph Rawlinson , 381 ; William Bleaskley and T . Hayes , 678 ; J . T . Cattlow , W . M . 1 . 088 ; and G . A . Mort , P . M . 1354 . Arrived at the cemetery , the brethren stood in lines on each side of the pathway leading to the mortuary chapel , and

the mournful cortege passed slowly through . Ihe procession also included , in addition to those already mentioned , Dr . Sargeant , Medical Officer of Health ; Mr . Rowland Taylor , Borough Coroner ; Messrs . J . Greenhalgh , VV . H . Hutchinson , J . Wood , B . Brown , F . Fogg , and R . Hampson . The ceremony inside the chapel and at the grave side was conducted by the Rev . N . Jones , vicar of St .

George ' s , and the scene was a most impressive one . The three sons of the deceased brother scattered lovely flowers on the coffin after it had been lowered into the grave , and at the conclusion the brethren dropped in their sprigs of acacia which they had previously worn . The melancholy procession was then re-formed , and the sorrowing crowd left the cemetery . The wreaths which were

deposited on the coffin were many and beautiful . The one sent by the brethren was a gem of floral design and beauty , the Masonic emblem of the square and compasses displayed in white roses , surrounded by numerous lilies , & c . Wreaths had been contributed by the following : Messrs . W . Forest , B . Brown , R . Hough , J . Galloway , J . Naylor , F . Morris , T . Murphy , J . F . Ellison , J . Booth , Mrs . Brockbank and

children , Mr . and Mrs . G . A . Brockbank , Mr . and Mrs . F . W . Brockbank , Mr . and Mrs . A . Entwisle , Mrs . J . M . Brockbank and family , Mr . and Mrs . Lythgoe , Mrs . George Ferguson , Mrs . Entwisle , Mrs . F . Ferguson , Mrs . Smethurst , Mrs . Pennington , Mrs . Cooke , Mrs . J . Bland , the Misonic lodges of Bolton , and the Park Hill Bowling Green Company ( Limited ) . The arrangements for the funeral were

cairiedout by Mr . W . Nicholson ( supe < intended by Mr . Simpson ) , and Bros . Newton , Mori is , and Taylor acted as D . C . ' s . Alter the interment the brethren adjourned to the Freemasons' Hall , where Bro . Cuerden , S . W . 221 ( the mother lodge of the deceased ) , presided , in the absence of the W . M ., Bro . Siddorn , through illness . The chairman announced that they had been called together to pass a

vote of condolence with the widow and family of the departed brother , for vvhich purpose he called upon Bro . Lomax , W . M . 37 , who briefly moved theformal resolution , which was seconded by Bro . Downs , S . W . 146 , and carried . Bros . Newton , Cooper , Howarth , Alcock , and Nicholson were elected a committee to carry out the resolution , on the motion of Bro . Horrocks , P . M . 348 , seconded

by Bro . Tong , I . P . M . 1723 . Bro . Chadwick , Prov . G . S ., was called upon for a few observations , but said he felt unequal to the task , as the loss to him was a very great one , Bro . P . Royle , No . 64 , P . S . G . D . East Lancashire , in response to a similar request , said Bro . Brockbank would leave a great void , and would be very difficult lor anyone to tollow , not to say rival , in his means of usefulness . But

although they might not be able to do that , they could all strive to the beit of th ; ir ability , circumstances , and power , during the short space of allotted lite that might be lelt to them , to do as much good in the world as they could , and to strive to leave their fellow-men happier and better than they found them . They may not succeed to the same extent of usefulness , but they would have the

proud satisfaction of thinking that they were endeavouring to fulfil their allotted task in life ; and as there were different habitations in that supreme realm above , to which they were all tending , and to which they all hoped to go , in the way that they discharged their duty here , he thought they had a reasonable and legitimate ground of hope that they might be better and happier hereafter . All they

could do was to stimulate and to copy one another in all the good features of Bro . Brockbank's character , and in doing so they would be discharging their duty to the Great Architect ot the Universe ; and they would have the thought that when they were numbered with the majority they would leave behind an agreeable , a refreshing , and a pleasant memory . Bro . Newton , P . M . 37 , read a number

of letters of apology for inability to attend , one from Bro . Col . Le Gendre Strakie , P . G . M . ; the Secretaries of the Masonic Institutions ; several Provincial Grand Officers ; and the W . M . 's of numerous lodges in the province . A vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the proceedings . The Masjnic brethren will attend at Sc . George ' s Church on Sunday morning next .

GEORGE PARKER BROCKBANK . IN MBMORIAM . Another link has fallen from the chain That binds us to the earth ancl those we love Another soul we would have had remain Has gone above . His breth * en miss him now that he is gone ;

We never knew or felt his worth till now ; For all past failings vve would fain atone , Yet know not how . A tribute to his worth we needs must pay , With heads bent low , we chant in mournful song ; Though weak in body crumbling to decay , His mind was strong .

High minded , rich in heart , in friendship true , Kten in discernment , but in judgment kind , High pinnacled iu vision , broad in view—A master mind . He has departed , but his influence still , Invisible in presence , around us clings .

Guiding our actions 'gainst our coarser will In many things . VVe thank him for the lessons which he taught , We grasp a brother ' s hand with true delight , And utter , as of old , our parting speech—Old friend , good night . Sterne Villa , June 4 th . R . G