Provincial Grand Lodge Of Berkse1re.

Bro . KKYSER congratulated the brethren on the satisfactory financial condition of the province , and moved the adoption of the report , which was seconded by the P . G . MASTER , and carried . Bro . MARURETT presented the report of the Charity Committee , which was also of a satisfactory character , and its adoption was moved by Bro . RWK . VSCUOIT , who observed that the province might well be congratulated

upon having such an efficient Charity Committee and Secretary , whose untiring efforts had resulted'in the success of the two cases which had been promoted by the Province . Bro . GARDNER seconded the motion , which was unanimously agreed to . Bro . MARTIN nominated Bro . Margrett as the representative of this province on the B lard of the Royal Misonic Institution for Boys .

Bro . KEYSER , as one of the Committee of the Biys' School , seconded tne nomination , and expressed the hope that Bro . Margrett would be elected . Tne resolution was carried unanimously . Bro . HORNI ; . in complimentary terms , proposed the re-election of Bro . Stephens as P . G . Treasurer , which was seconded by Bro . Capt . TUI-MAN , and carried .

Ihs P . G . M . then invested Bros . Canon Garry , the Rev . J . Stewart , J . Newbury , and Preston with the Provincial Charity jewel ; C . E . Keyser and Capt . Tupman with the Charity bar ; and C E . Belcher , VV . Ravenscroft , and G . H . Morland with the tricolour Charity ribbon ; after which the D . P . G . Master appointed the Prov . Grand Officers for the ensuing year as follows :

B-os . Canon Garry , P . S . G . W . ; Leslie , P . J . G . W . ; Rev . J . Stewart and Rev . A . E Farrer , P . G . Chaps . ; C . Stephens . P . G . Treas . ; E . Challoner , P . G . Reg . ; J . W Martin , P . G . Sec ; Halford . P . S . G . D . ; E . Gardner , P . J . G . D . ; J . N . Day , P . G . S of W . ; R . E . Hodder , P . G . D . of C ; J . Dale-Hart , P . A . G . D . of C . ; Major O Ball , P . G . S . B . ; F . Morford and J . H . distance , P . G . Std . Brs . ; Baker . P . Asst G . Sec . ; J . Brown , P . G . Purst . ; C . D . Adkin , P . A . G . Purst . ; and G . S . Gait , E Marshall , J . W . G . James , J . J . Gale , and Preston , P . G . Stwds . l'he Provincial Grand Lodge was then closed in the usual form .

I he customary banquet was to have taken place in the Town Hall , but owing to the large attendance of brethren it was found necessary to hold it at the Lamb Hotel , where a recherche repast was laid in the large diningroom . The Deputy Prov . Grand Master in Charge presided . After t e meal the customary Masonic toasts were honoured .

Special Grand Mark Lodge.

SPECIAL GRAND MARK LODGE .

A spetial meeting of Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons was held on Thursday , at Mark Masons' Hall , lor the purpose of voting addresses of congratulation to her Majesty the Oueen and his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., on the birth of the son of the Duke and Duchess ol York , grandson of the Prince and Princess of Wales , and great grandson of her Majesty the Oueen .

Bro . the Earl ot Euston , Pro Grand Master , presided , supported by Bros . Viscount Dungarvan , D . G . M . ; the Earl of Yarborough , T . F . Halsey , M . P ., Col . A . B . Cook , R . I . ovelandLovelahd , Frank Richardson , C . F . Matier , G . Sec . ; C . H . Driver , Hamon Le Strange , and several other Grand Officers .

After the formal opening of Grand Lodge , and the reading of the summons convening the meeting , Bro . the Earl of EUSTON said : Brethren , —I have called this Grand Lodge because I felt certain that every Mark Mason of England and Wales and the great Colonies which are under our jurisdiction would be glad , as on former occasions , when we condoled with the Grand Master on the

death of his son , the Duke of Clarence , and congratulated him on the marriage of his son , the Duke of York , to show our loyalty and devotion . We are now here again to show our loyalty lo the Royal Family that rule over this kingdom , and our devotion to his Royal Highness by congratulating them on the birth of a Prince of the fourth generation iii the direct line as heir to the throne ; and I ought als i to

say to congratulate her Majesty the Queen most heartily and loyally upon her being in the unique position of seeing a direct descendant of herself born , making now three in a direct line eli gible to sit upon the throne of this Empire . Many years has the Oueen reigned over this country , and right well has she reigned over it . We all know how firm she can be when it is necessary , and how kind and good she can be in all cases of Charity . I

shall now move that one address of congratulation b 2 sent to her Majesty the Queen on the birth of the Prince , her great grandson , and another to the Most VVorshipful Grand Master on the birth of his grandson , and wishing the young Prince may have many years of health before him . Before moving the resolution , 1 will call for the Grand Secretary to read the address to her Majesty and the address to the Grand Master . Bro . C F . MATIER , G . Sec , then read the following addresses :

To the Oueen ' s Most Excellent Majesty , May it please your Majesty , We , tho Grand Lodge of Mark Masons of England and Wales and the Colonies and Dependencies of Ihe British Crown in special Grand Lodge assembled , humbly beg to approach your Majesty with the expression of our warmest and most loyal congratulations on the birth of a son and heir of their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of York , an event which has given the most heartfelt satisfaction and happiness to every member of our Order .

We humbly pray the Great Overseer of the Universe that He may continue to bless and preserve your Majesty in health and in strength . And we sincerely hope it will be His will that your Majesty may long be spared to guide the destinies of this vast and powerful Empire , and that His blessings may descend on the Royal Infant and on every member of your Royal House .

Given at Mark Masons Hal ) , London , 12 th day of July , 18 94 . ( Signed ) EUSTON , Pro Grand Master . FRANK RICHARDSON , Grand Registrar . DUNGARVAN , Dep . Grand Master C . F . MA 1 IKK , Grand Secretary .

I ' o his Roynl Highness Albert Edward , Prince of Wales , Knight of ihe Most Noble Order of the Garter , fie , & c , &< :., < tc , Most Worshiplul Grand Ma > ter of the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of England and Wales and the Colonies and Dependencies of the British Crown . We , the Pro Grand Master , Deputy Grand Master , Grand Officers , and member *

in Special Grand Lodge assembled , beg most respectfully to offer to your Royal Highness , as our Most Worshiplul Grand Master our warmest and most sincere congratulations on the birth of a son and heir to his Royal Highness the Duke of York , your Royal Highness ' s son , and lo express on behalt of every Mark Mason the joy and gladness caused by this most auspicious event .

Special Grand Mark Lodge.

It is the heartfelt prayer of every member of our Order that the Great Overseer of the Universe may pour down every blessing on the Infant Prince and on every member of your Royal Family , and grant that your Royal Highness may long continue in health and strength to preside over us .

Given at Mark Masons' Hall , London , 12 th day of July , 1894 .. ( Signed ) EUSTON , Pro Grand Master . FRANK RICHARDSON , Grand Registrar . DUNGARVAN , Dep . Grand Master C . F . MATIER , Grand Secretary .

Bro . the Earl of EUSTON : Brethren you have heard the two addresses we propose to send . I now beg to move formally that those be sent to the Queen and the Grand Master . Bro . Viscount DUNGARVAN : Most Worshipful Pro Grand M tsler and brethren , —The last time we had occasion to vot-i addresses of congratulation to his Royal Highness the Grand Master it was on the occasion of the

marriage of the Duke and Duchess of York . Since then another event has happened of far more importance to the kingdom , and when it was announced by telegraph to all parts of the world that a grandson in the direct line had been born to his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales 1 am sure it filled everyone with feelings of loyalty and enthusiasm . I have very much pleasure in seconding the proposition moved by your lordship , because I know there are no more sincere well wishers of our Grand Master than the

Mark Masons of this country . The motion was put and carried unanimously . Bro . MATIER said he had received many apologies for absence on this occasion from brethren , but every one of them most fully concurred in the addresses which were now voted by Grand Lodge .

Bro . Hamon Le Strange , who was appointed by the Prince of Wales Grand Master Overseer at Grand Festival , but who was absent from England at the time , and consequently not able to be invested , was invested now b y the Earl of Euston , and Grand Lodge was closed in ample form .

Mark Benevolent Fund Festival.

MARK BENEVOLENT FUND FESTIVAL .

The 26 th Annual Festival in aid of the Benevolent Fund connected With Mark Masonry was held on Wednesday , the nth instant , at Freemasons ' Tavern , under the presidency of Bro . the Earl of Yarborough , Prov . Grand Master for Lincolnshire . The Chairman was supported by Lady Yarborough , Lord and Lady Portarlington , the Earl of Euston , Miss Sybil Harbord , Viscount Dungarvan , Lady Conyers , General , Mrs ., and Miss

Sayer ; the Rev . Dr . and Mrs . Hartley Carmichael , Bro . Loveland Loveland , Bro . Col . and Mrs . A . B . Cook , Bro . Sir Lionel , Lady , and the Misses Darell ; Bro . Dr . and Lady Agnes Cooper , Bro . Dr . and Mrs . Godson , Bro . C Belton , Bro . Dr . and the Misses Kempster , Bros . VV . F . Lamonby , Col . Gerard Noel Money , C F . and Mrs . Matier , Bros . Stewart Brown , Majoi Gordon Miller , R . Clowes , and others . After a well-served banquet ,

The CHAIRMAN rose to propose " The Queen and Mark Masonry , " and said it was a toast he was glad to think always met with a cordial reception among Englishmen . He ventured to think it would meet with a more cordial reception than usual that evening , because they had the opportunity

of congratulating their Queen on the birth of her little great-grandson . It was an event which could not but add to the domestic happiness of their beloved Sovereign and the distinguished parents of the young Prince . He was sure it must be a matter of rejoicing to them that the Queen was able to see around her no less than three male heirs in direct line to that historical

throne of which she was the occupant . In proposing " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , " the CHAIRMAN said it was always a pleasure to do so , because they as Masons knew what a thorough Mason his Royal Highness was at heart , and how ready he was at all times to advance the interests of Masonry in every part of the kingdom . They knew he was not only the ornamental head of Masonry , but that his care and judgment were never better shown than in the different matters coming before his notice .

The CHAIRMAN next gave "The M . W . Pro Grand Master , and the Grand Officers , " and said : I am sure it is unnecessary for me to say more than a few words respecting the Earl of Euston , for you know his good work in the interest of Mark Masonry , and with what energy he carries out the arduous duties of the position he occupies . He is ready to visit any part of the country , and even the Channel Islands , as you know , in order to promote

the interests of Mark Masonry . With regard to the Deputy Grand Master , Viscount Dungarvan he is well known to all the brethren here , and wherever he goes he always meets with a cordial reception . The rest of the Grand Officers are most of them Masons who have served long and faithfully , and I venture to think they are prepared to carry out their duties in the same way as those who went before them .

Bro . the Earl of EUSTON , Pro Grand Master , in response , said : On behalf of myself and the Grand Officers I beg to tender you our most heartfelt and fraternal thanks for the kind way you received the kind expressions of our Chairman , and the very kind way you have drank our health . I can only say , as I believe you do not want any long speeches , that it is always a pleasure when our health is received in that kind and

fraternal way you have received it , for it shows us you have confidence in us who are placed in a position of authority , and you trust us , to do the best that is possible for the good and prosperity of the Order . I will say very little on this one subject , but take thi opportunity of assuring you again that where our services are required , everyone standing round the table , if wanted , we shall be ready lo come and help you in any way to

benefit the Order . With regard to the present G and Office-s , I can say that in the three years as your Deputy Grand Master and nearly two as your Pro Grand Master , I hive never found anybody fail me when I asked them to come and help me . Now 1 have a much more pleasing task than returning thanks , for it comes to my lot to propose the health of one who has not long gone into Masonry , but who has proved by his work he means thoroughly to go on and not be an ornamental but a hard working and

valuable head in Masonry . Our worshipful Chairman , the Earl of Yarborough , is Provincial Grand Master of Lincolnshire , and I think the way thc brethren have shown up lo-night proves how heartily and thoroughly they respect and look up to him and rally round him at the first Festival be has tiken the chair at . May I ask y-iu to drink most heartil y to his health , and I am certain you will couple that of Lady Yarborough . Long may they boih live and may every happiness attend them , and may he go on from what he is now to far higher honours . The CHAIRMAN , in reply , said : I can assire you I am very grateful indeed for thc cordial reception given the toast proposed by thc Pro G . M . 1