Annual Provincial Grand Lodge Of West Lancashire.

ANNUAL PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF WEST LANCASHIRE .

That Masonry flourishes , notwithstanding bad times which have had scarcely a parallel within the memory of the oldest inhabitant , was shown by the large and most enthusiastic attendance of brethren from every section of thc division at the annual meeting of the Provincial

Grand Lodge of West Lancashire , which was held at the Winter Gardens , Morecambe , on Wednesday , the ist inst . Thc arrangements were certainly not perfect , but this can hardly be wondered at , when no fewer than eighty lodges require to find accommodation at these annual gatherings The immense and brilliant assembly on this occasion airain gave incontrovertible proof of the sustained and

even increasing popularity of our deservedly esteemed D . G . M ., Bro . the Right Hon . Lord Skelmersdale , the R . W . P . G . M . of West Lancashire Province , who on this occasion was again welcomed with the warmth which is always displayed by the multitudes of Masons over whom he holds Masonic sway . There were between 300 and 600 brethren present , and this was a most significant

fact , when it is borne in mind that the meeting was held in nearly the most remote corner of the province . The majority of the brethren hailed from Liverpool , Wigan , Preston , and Lancashire , and for their accommodation the London and North-Western Railway Company ( of which Bro . Shaw , of the Lodge of Loyalty , No . 86 , is the local superintendent ) ran special trains .

The whole of the eighty lodges in the extensive province , which is the second largest in the kingdom , were represented , with one exception ( the Ashton , No . 1140 , Withington ) . The Craft lodge was opened by the W . M . of No . 32 , assisted by Brr-. T . F . Hill , M . M . No . 220 , acting as S . W . ; and Bro . T . Salter , W . M . No . 241 , as J . W .

Bro . the Right Hon . and Bight Worshipful Lord Skelmersdale , P . G . M ., and D . G . M . of England , who was most enthusiastically greeted , took his seat on the throne , and was supported hy Bros , the Right Hon . Colonel Frederick Stanley , M . P ., D . P . G . M ., Secretary of State for War ; W . Baldwin , P . G . S . W . ; II . R . Robertson , P . G . J . W . ; Rev . | . Rees Jenkins , P . G . Chaplain ; R . Robinson , P . G . R . ;

H . S . Alpass , P . G . Sec . ; J . T . Callow , P . G . Treas . ; T . W . Sergeant , P . G . S . D . ; J . E . Jackson , Supt . of W . ; Dr . Moore , P . G . S . B . of Eng . ; F . Binckes , P . G . S . Ene . ; Major George Turner , P . P . G . T . ; Peter M'Muldrow , P . P . G . S . D . ; Harding , P . P . G . S . D . ; Chadwick , P . G . Sec . East Lane . ; S . E . Ibbs , P . P . G . S . B . ; J F . Newel ] , P . M . 10-15 ( Mayer of Bootle ); W . Vines , P . P . G . D . of C . ; Dr . J . Kellett

Smith , P . P . G . R . ; T . Armstrong , P . P . G . Treas . ; Ren . ington , P . P . G . J . W . ; Royds , P . P . G . J . W . ; Robert Wylie , P . !' G . S . D . ; Bowes , P . P . G . J . W . ; Geo . Broadb . idgr , P . P . G . D . of C . ; Taylor , P . G . Treas . East Lane ; J . Pemberton , P . G . S . of W . ; Joseph Skeaf , P . G . Org . ; Captain J . W . Newman , P . G . S . ; J . R . Goepel , P . P . G . H . of C . ; Dr . J . F . Bailey , W . M . ; J . H . Johnston , P . M ., D . of C . 1350 ; Dr .

Arthur Samuel , P . M . 1350 ; W . P . Evans , I . P . M . 1330 ; C . P . Titherlcy , S . W . 1350 ; R . Carruthers , J . W . 1350 ; Rowan , W . M . 1013 ; Thompson , P . M . 1013 ; Tomlinson , 1013 ; W . Little , 477 ; Fothergill , Sec Neptune Lotlge ; H . Warriner , W . M . 1547 ; W . L-idyman , S . W . 1547 ; | . McKunc , P . M . 216 ; J . Cobham , P . M . 241 ; T . Salter , W . M . 241 ; J . Bell , P . G . S . ; H . Williams ,

P . G . S . ; J . Wells , P . G . D . C ; J . B . MacKenzie , W . M . 1609 ; Lindo Courtenay , I . P . M . 1609 ; W . J . Chapman , P . M . 1609 ; A . Woolrich , W . M . 135 6 , Treasurer 1609 ; W . Sandbrook , S . W . 1609 ; J . Atkinson , J . W . 1609 ; Fred . Wilkinson , Secretary 1609 ; VV . Savage , I . G . 1609 ; H . P . Squire , S . D . 1356 , S . 1609 ; R . VV . Barnes , 1609 ; W . Heap , 1609 ; T . F . Hill , W . M . 220 ; H . Hatch , S . W .

220 ; J . Beesley , P . M . 216 ; D . S . Davies , P . M . 216 ; John Latta , J . W . 241 ; J . Winsor , I . P . M . 241 ; J . Hayes , P . G . S ., P . M . 249 ; W . Corbett , W . M . 249 ; II . Firth , W . M . 667 ; J . Ellis , P . M . 66 7 ; W . Brackenbury , W . M . ( , 73 ; - ° . Jackson , P . M . 673 ; T . Clark , P . M ., Treasurer 6 73 ; J . Houlding , P . M . 82- ; R . Martin , P . M . 1182 ; G . Musker , W . M . 1182 ; A . C . Wylie , S . W . 1264 ; J . Keet ,

J . W . 135 6 ; J . McCarthy , P . M . 1393 ; VV . Pughe , P . M . 1620 ; and others . The P . G . Sec . ( Bro . II . S . Alpass ) called the roll ol the lodges , and afterwards reid the minutes of the last P . G . Lodge meeting , held at the Philharmonic Hall on thc 2 nd of October , 1878 , whicii : vcre unanimously confirmed .

The accounts of the P . G . Treas . ( Bro . J . T . Callow ) , which weie taken as reatl , showed that during the past year the income in connection with the Charity Fund , including balances , amounted to £ 510 is . 3 d . ; to the Prov . Grand Lodge Fund , £ 644 os . 1 id . ; to the Fund of Benevolence , £ 2084 14 s . 81 ! . ; total , £ 323 8 16 s . lod . Amongst the disbursements were £ 105 , for the Wtst Lancashire

Educational Institution ; £ 105 for the Masonic Institution for Girls ; the total expenditureamountingto £ 411 16 s . 3 d . It appeared that £ 2 C 3 <) had altogether been paid to the West Lancashire Masonic Institution . There was a total balance of £ 2761 , of which £ iooc was invested in dock bonds , £ 795 at the savings banks , and about £ 9 6 5 in the North-Western Bank .

On the motion of Bro . Dr . J . Kellett Smith , P . P . G . R ., seconded by Bro . Major G . Turner , P . P . G . Treas ., Bro . J . T . Callow , P . M . 673 and 1505 , was unanimously reelected P . G . Treas ., Bro . Turner remarking lhat he had become a convert to the idea that ihe office of Treasurer of the P . G . Lotlge should be held for two years by the

same brether . ( Laughter . ) In thanking the brethren for the honour which had been conferred upon him , Bro . Callow said he trusted that hc should be able to elischarge the duties of his office to the satisfaction of the brethren . ( Applause . ) The P . G . M . then appointed and invested the following biethren as his officers for the ensuing year : —

Annual Provincial Grand Lodge Of West Lancashire.

Bro . the Rt . Hon . Col . Stanley , M . P . Prov . D . P . G . M . „ J . F . Newell , P . M . io- **; ... Prov . G . S . W . „ W . B . Ackerley , P . M . 680 ... Prov . G . J . W . .. Rev . L . R . Ayre , P . M . on *; ... Prov . G . Chap .

„ J . T . Callow , P . M . 673 and 1505 Prov . G . Treas . „ R . H . Evans , P . M . 1393 ... Prov . G . S . D . „ Joseph Bell , P . M . 1609 and 135 6 Prov . G . J . D . „ Capt . Newman , P . M . 786 ... Prov . G . Reg . T . Clark , P . M . 673 Prov . G . S . of Wks

„ „ D . W . Finney , P . M . 1250 ... Prov . G . D . C . „ H . Williams , P . M . 126 4 ... Prov . G . A . D . C . „ J . Hayes , P . M . 249 Prov . G . S . B . „ J . Skeaf ( re-appointed ) Prov . G . O . ' r nolUrrl P M iii ... Prov . G . P . ^ —t

, , j . c . . . . . . , , , . . . . . . Bros . Harrison , Longman , Long- } mire , J . Houlding , P . M . 823 , > Prov . G . Stewards . Sharpies , and Whitenead J Several applications for assistance from the Fund of Benevolence were read and considered , and relief

amounting to about £ 100 was granted . The P . G . M . moved , " That any brother of this province who may be entitled to wear the Charity Jewel shall be piesented with the same by Prov . Grand Lodge . " He would suggest that the motion should be made of a retrospective character , and he trusted that in future more brethren than hitheito would come forward to help a most

deserving . object , and so become entitled to wear the jewel . ( Applause ) . The motion was seconded by Bro . R . Robinson , P . G . R ., and carried unanimously . The P . G . Sec . ( Bro . Alpass ) reported as follows : — I have nothing special to report to Prov . G . Lodge . The depression in trade has affected Freemasonry to some extent . There have been fewer initiations , and , for the first time in my experience , a diminution in the number of the

subscribing members of the lodges in the province . Nttwithstanding these untoward circumstances , a few zealous brethren of this province accepted rffice as Stewards at the last festival of the Girls' School , and worked so well that they took up a larger amount of money than the brethren from any other province . Thc following is the list for thc West Division of Lancashire : —Bro . Deeley , Selton Lodge , No . 68 o , £ 126 ; Bro . Salter , Merchants' Lodge , No . 241 ,

£ 115 10 s . ; Bro . Wylie , Prov . G . Lodge , £ 103 ; Bro . Robeitson , St . George ' s Lodge , No . 32 , £ 53 ; Bro . Pochin , Architect Lodge , No . 137 . *; , £ 4 8 6 s . ; Bro . Buxton , Victoria Lodge , No . 1 . 345 , £ 4 i Bro . Wells , Lodge cf Harmony , No . 580 , £ 3 6 13 s . ; Bro . Piatt , Fermor Lodge , No . 1313 , £ 26 5 s . ; Bro . Wainwright , Lodge of Unity , No . 613 , £ 21 ; Bro . Roberts , Bridson Chapter , No . 613 , £ 21 ; Bro . Harding , Trafford Lotlge , No . 1496 , £ 17 17 s . ; Bro .

Remington , Lodge of Fumes * -, No . 995 , £ 13 14 s . ; Bro . Houlding , Everton Lotlge , No . 823 , £ 10 ios . ; Bro . Maltison , Dramatic Lodge , No . 1609 , £ 10 . At the festival of the Boys' School , Bro . Goodacre-, Prince Leopolel Lodge , No . 1588 , took up £ 65 2 s . ; Bro . Barker , Urmston Lodge , No . 1730 , No . 1330 , took up £ 13 13 s ., the lastnamed brethren fulfilling the engagement at the last meeting of Prov . G . Lodge , that the youngest lodge in the

province should raise for one of the Masonic Charities a sum of not less than fifty guineas during the first year ol its existence . I have no account of thc names of the subscribers at the last festival , the annual rcpoit of each school being published early in thc year , I shall therefore esteem it a favour if the Stewards will sec that voting papers are received by all the donors on their lists , and forwarded to me , signed , in order that they may be used

at thc election of the Boys' School , in October , in favour of Albert Grice Aspden , a candidate from this province . In conclusion , I have the pleasure of informing Prov . Grantl Lodge that all the lodges have sent in their returns and paid their dues . On the motion of Bro . R . Wylie , P . P . G . S . D ., it was resolved that the sum of 130 guineas be voted out of the Charities Funtl to the Royal Alasonic Institution for Boys .

On the motion of Bro . Wylie , secontled by Bro . J . R . Goepel , it was unanimously resolved that the sum of 100 guineas be voted out of the Charities Fund to the West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution . It was also resolved , on the motion of Bro . Wylie , seconded by Bro . Dr . Smith , P . P . G . R ., that 100 guineas be voted out of the Provincial Grand Lodge Fund to the Widows' Fund of thc Royal Masonic Benevolent

Institution . On the motion of Bro . R . Wylie , it was further unanimously resolved that the sum of £ 30 be voted out of the Provincial Grand Lodge Funtl to assist the election of Albert Grice Aspden , son of the late Bro . Aspden , a candidate for the Boys' School ; and the election of the widow of th ; late Bro . Robert Grace , a candidate for the Ro ) al Masonic Benevolent Institution , and that the votes of the

Provincial Grantl Lodge be given to these casts . On the motion of Bro . J . R . Goepel , P . P . G . D . C , seconded by Bro . W . S . Vines , P . P . G . D . C ., it was agreed that the votes of the Provincial Grand Lodge should be g iven to these cases . Bro . R . Wylie next gave the sixth annual report of the Hamer Benevolent Fund , from which it appeared that the Charity was making most satisfactory progress . Although

the amount contributed during the year was small as compared with the number of lodges in the province , yet the Committee were thankful for the suppoit which had been given , and believed that in tbe event of the fund having many calls upon it the brethren would respond in such a manner as to enable the Committee to meet every claim . There was still one annuitant on the fund , and it was

satisfactory to find that no other application hatl been made during this year . The invested funds now amounted to £ 750 , and , besides this , upwards of £ 200 was in the bank . The officers of the fund for the ensuing year were then appointed , and thanks were given to those brethren who had served the Charity during the past year . The P . G . Lodge was next resolved into a Court of

Annual Provincial Grand Lodge Of West Lancashire.

Governors of the West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution , a resume' of the proceedings for the year being read by Bro . G . Broadbridge , P . P . G . D . C , one of the Honorary Secretaries . The annual report of the Charity was as follows : — A perusal of the accounts will show that the Institution is , as ever , prosperous , not only with respect to its funds ,

but also to its increasing usefulness in carrying out the objects for which it was lounded , and which it has for many years so successfully effected . Important as were the objects and intentions cf its founders , this importance has become greatly enhanced from the fact that Freemasonry has of late years been so considerably extended in the Province of West Lancashire , and the greater necessity

that has arisen for local effort , supplementary and independent to that of the London Charitable Institutions . No better proof of the success of the Institution , and the desire for its maintenance and support , and no clearer view of the manner in which its benefits are appreciated , can be found than in placing before you the following figures . During the first fourteen years of the existence of this

noble Charity the payments for the education and advancement of children were as follows : 1850 to 1859 , £ 238 zs . ; i 860 , £ 121 ns , 6 d . ; 1861 , £ 110 18 s . 5 d . \ 1862 , £ 143 2 S . lod . ; 1863 , £ 166 17 s . ; total , £ 780 us . gd . During a nearly similar period , namely , the last fifteen years , the payments hive been : In 1865 , £ 26 3 4 s . id . ; 1866 , £ 267 ss . nd . j 1867 , £ 178 7 s . ed . ; 1868 ,

£ 25 6 18 s . 6 d . ; 186 9 , £ 23 8 6 s . 8 d . ; 1870 , £ 260 8 s . ; ' 871 . £ 2743-5- " 1- ; ' 872 , £ 341 is . 3 d . ; 1873 , £ 26615 s . s d- 1874 , £ 288 15 s . 7 d . ; 1873 , £ 430 9 s . I Id . ; 1876 , £ 470 6 s . 3 d . ; 18 77 , £ 580 17 s . 3 d . ; 1878 , £ 580 16 s . id . ; total , £ 4697 16 s . Notwithstanding this handsome and increasing expenditure , promoting , as it does , so much lasting benefit , it will be seen , by

reference to the accounts , that the invested fund amounts to £ 14 , 907 19 s . 6 d ., and it will be admitted that the wisdom of those who in the early history of the Charity husbanded its resources , and carefully guarded the investment of its funds , was of the highest importance , inasmuch as the subscriptions and donations of the brethren have now ceased to cover the annual expenditure for the

education aud advancement of the children , and it is only from the interest on investments that its financial position can be maintained , and the increasing demands upon its resources fully satisfied . We , therefore , earnestly call upon the brethren , antl especially upon the Worshipful Masters of the lodges in the province , and of those who take an interest in the cause of charity , and particularly in the

continued welfare of our West Lancashire Chanty , of which the brethren of the province are so justly proud , to take care that thc various lodges with which they are conne cted arc fully represented in thc lists of donations and subscriptions which appear year after year . These annual reports , issued from time to time , form a lasting record of the generosity of those who are thus called upon to

perform the important duties attached to the position they have been elected to occupy , whilst the absence of such a record shows but too clearly that some of the brethren have not so faithfully discharged their Masonic duties , a circumstance which they cannot but regret in ycars to come . While earnestly commending these observations to the notice of the brethren , we would

also impress upon the Worshipful Masters , Treasurers , and those having charge of the affairs in the various lodges , the necessity of rendering a statement of subscriptions and donations before the 31 st of December in each year . In many instances , returns have been sent in so late as the middle of May . Reports and accounts are thus delayed , and considerable irregularity is the result . It

having now been decided that the accounts of the honorary-Treasurer shall in future close promptly on the 31 st December , it will be necessary to give strict attention to this matter , as otherwise those lodges omitting to carry out this arrangement cannot be represented in the ensuing reports , which will in iuture be issued early in each year . During several months precedin-r the date at which this

report is issued , a Sub-Committee , consisting of many of the most earnest and energetic workers in the cause of Freemasonry in this province , have been actively engaged in revising the bye-laws of the Institution . The increasing extension of tbe Charity , and the altered circumstances surrounding its working , having gone considerably beyond any ideas that its founders could have anticipated , rendered

this revision and amendment necessary , and the Committee feel that their labours , the result of which will be shoitly placed before the brethren , must tend to the better and more harmonious working of the Institution , whilst its improvintr financial position has fortunately enabled the Committee to increase the benefits to the children for whose welfare the Institution has teen established . Finally , we

ask for continued and increased effort on the part of all good Masons , the result of which will in years to come enable those who will have the management of this great Charity still further to increase these benefits to the fatherless and the orphan , and so maintain the position of the West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution as first and foremrst in the ranks of Masonic beneficence .

Five Past Masters of the Committee of the Hamer Benevolent Fund were elected , and also two Auditors , a Secretary , and Treasurer . The annual Court of the Governors of the West Lancashire Masonic Institution was then held , and subsequently the Annual Court of the Governors of the West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution , and the usual

business was transacted . The P . G . Lodge was then closed in solemn form , and according to ancient custom . The banquet was held at the Winter Gardens , and was largely attended . The R . W . P . G . M ., Lord Skelmersdale , presided , being supported by the Right Hon . Colonel Stanley , M . P ., D . P . G . M ., and many of the P . G . officers of West Lancashire .