Provincial Meetings.

of Treasurer for the ensuing year . The ballot was then taken for the W . M . for the same period , and the suffrages of the brethren on this occasion fell to Bro . John Staines Webb , P . M ., P . P . J . G . W ., the "father" of the lodge , who was chosen by the unanimous vote of the lodge . Bro . Webb having duly acknowledged the compliment paid him , Bro . Jos . Keech was re-elected Tyler , and the following

brethren to form a Committee to audit the accounts for the current year : Bros . C . Toleman , W . M . j J . S . Webb , P . M . j and H . Maunder , S . W . On the motion of the W . M ., seconded by the W . M . elect , it was resolved "That the lodge become an annual subscriber to the Freemason . " The lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to refreshment .

BIRMINGHAM . Forward Lodge ( No . 1180 ) . —The usual monthly meeting of this lodge was held on Monday , the 2 nd inst ., at the Masonic Hall , New-street , when the following brethren and visitors were present : Bros . W . F . Tolladay , P . D . G . D . C , W . M . ; W . Winfield , l . P . M . ; W . J . Meredith , S . W . j T . H . Simpson , J . W . j F . Hobday ,

P . M ., Treas . ; E . A . Smith , Sec ; T . W . Siddaway , S . D . j J . T . Harcourt , J . D . ; W . Price , I . G . j W . Hillman , P . M ., D . C . j J . M . Duffarn , A . J . Norton , and R . G . Stevens , Stewards j G . F . Bolton , P . M . j E . P . Cole , P . M ., Charity Steward j H . Auliff , Butcher , Bees , Clarke , Cheshire , Clulee , Cooper , Dolman , Grinsell , Hitching , Cambell , Myers , Morgan , Marks , Mirams , Read , Silver ,

H . Stephens , and Webb . Visitors : Bros . Lord E . J . Seymour , 301 , P . P . S . G . W . ; J . Jacobs , P . M . 4 S 2 , P . P . G . Reg . Staffordshire ,- H . G . Layton , P . P . G . C . Gloucester ; W . H . Waister , 1295 j M . Whittle Hawley , 797 ; G . H . Middleton , S . D . 1016 ; W . Glydon , j and T . J . Walsh . The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed , after which the Provincial and the lodge by-laws were

read . Bro . Bees was then raised to the Third Degree , and Bros . Rev . Mirams and Silver passed to the Second Degree , the work being done in a most efficient manner by the W . Master , Bro . W . F . Tolladay , P . D . G . D . C , assisted by his officers . "Hearty good wishes " having been given by the visiting

brethren , the lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to the banquet , which was capitably served under the personal direction of Bros . Duffarn and Norton , Stewards . The usual toasts were given and responded to in a most hearty manner , and the harmony of the evening was well looked after by Bro . Bladon , P . P . G . O .

BOLTON . Anchor and Hope Lodge ( No . 37 ) . —The regular monthly meeting of this lodge was held at Freemasons' Hall , Silverwell-street , on Monday , the 2 nd inst . There were present Bros . W . Naylor , W . M . ; J . Hardcastle , l . P . M . ; Nightingale , S . W . j Golding , | . W . j Rev . Clayton , P . M ., P . P . G . Chap . j John Booth , P . M ., Treas . j

Hindle , Sec . j Forrest , S . D . j Murphy , J . D . ; Thompson , I . G . j Higson , Tyler j Thos . Barnes , Greenhalgh , T . Broclcbank , Mason , Horrocks , P . M . j O . C . Crompton , 191 j Campbell , P . M . j Seddon , 221 j J . Walker , P . P . J . G . W . j Jos . Holden , l . P . M . 1009 j T . " Berry , 44 j F . Isherwood , James Walker , P . M . 221 j Milner , 146 j and Staverley , 1723 .

The lodge was opened by the W . M ., and the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . The ballot was taken for three candidates , which proved favourable in each case , and they were subsequently initiated by Bros . James Walker / P . M ., P . P . J . G . W ., and John Booth , P . M ., both of whom performed the ceremonies in that efficient manner which they are capable of , and fully

maintained the high reputation they hold . During the evenino-Bro . William Naylor , W . M ., presented to the lodge a . splendid solid silver square and compasses , which was received by the brethren of the lodge with great acclamation . All other business being concluded , and " Hearty good wishes " expressed from the numerous visitors present , the lodge was closed .

BRIGHTON . Earl of Sussex Lodge ( No . 2201 ) . —The brethren of this lodge held their closing meeting of the year at the Royal Pavilion , on Saturday afternoon , the 30 th ult . The lodge was opened by the W . M ., Bro . Richard Clowes , P . M . 650 , P . P . G . W . Essex , and among those present were the following officers and members , viz .: Bros , the Ri ^ ht Hon . SirW . T . Marriott , O . C , M . P ., P . G . Stwd ., Prov S . G . W . in charge , l . P . M . j ~ E . LetchworthP . G . D . acting

, , S . W . j H . E . Price , M . D ., P . P . G . W ., J . W . j Major-General Barnett Ford , P . D . G . D . Bengal , Treas . j V . P . Freeman , P . G . D ., Sec . ; Dr . A . King , P . P . G . Oro \ . S . D . ; C W . Hudson , P . P . G . W ., j . D . j C Bampfyfde Warre , P . P . G . D ., D . C . j Lockwood Hawken , P . P . A . G . D . of C , Asst . D . of C ; J . P . Knight , I . G . j R . Pidcock , P . G . Reg ., and R . Percy Clowes , Stwds . j Lieut .-Col .

Hancock , P . P . G . S . B . j and Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , Grand Secretary ( honorary member ) . Among the distinguished visitors were Bros . Thomas Fenn , President of the Board of General Purposes j Sir Somers Vine , P . M 2 igoj F . West , P . G . D ., Deputy Prov . G . M . Surrey j T . Billing , P . M . 271 , Prov . J . G . W . j Crawford J . Pocock , W . M . Si 1 , P . P . J . G . W . j Rev . F . F . J . Greenfield , P . M

1465 , P . P . G . Chap . j Seymour Burrows , P . M . Si 1 , Prov . J . G . D . j W . E . Morrison ( Mayor of Eastbourne ) , Prov . G . Stwd . j W . Botting , P . M . 732 , Prov . G . Stwd . ; Geo . Cole , P . M . 1636 , P . P . G . Org . ; W . N . Roe , P . P . G . Org . ; Carter Morrison , P . P . G . Reg . Surrey ; C Tomkinson . P . M . mo , P . P . G . S . of W . j Augustus Harris , P . M . 2127 ] J . Blundell Maple , M . P ., 1397 j J- C Couldwell , W . M .

1 4 G 5 ; C . L . Saunders , 1465 ; L . Weedon , P . M . 1465 ; A . J . Wise , 92 ; A . Du Pont , J . W . 1947 ; Hinde Crouch , 1 C 64 J W . Anderson , P . M . 315 j W . Pratt , P . M . 1797 ; E . J . Reeves , 732 ; R . Gresham Bacon , 271 ; H . W . G . Abell , Sec . 1797 ; Leleu , S . W . 1 S 21 ; M . L . Hancock , P . M . 143 ; E . A . Buchanan , 1 S 29 ; C Burleigh , 2127-W . H . Gibson , P . M . 1636 , P . P . G . W . ; H . Davey , P . M . 732 , P . P . G . W . ; H . Pearce , S . W . 1797 j and A . Freeman Cell .

The principal business of the meeting was the initiation of Mr . Gerald W . E . Loder , M . P ., Mr . Alfred Scott , and Mr . Chapman Marshall , the ceremony being impressively performed by Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , G . S . A letter was read from the Prov . Grand Master , H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught , expressive of his deep regret at the death of the late Deputy Prov . G . M ., Bro . Gerard Ford , and also a letter from Mrs . Gerard Ford in graceful acknowledgment of the vote of condolence forwarded her by the lodge .

Provincial Meetings.

The lodg'e having been closed , the brethren adjourned to the banqueting room , where they partook of an elegant banquet supplied by Bro . D . Mutton , whose catering gave the greatest satisfaction . The W . M ., Bro . Richard Clowes , presided . The customary loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured .

The W . M ., after proposing " The Queen and the Craft " and "The M . W . the Grand Master , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , " gave the toast of "TheOfficers of Grand Lodge , Present and Past , " to which Bro . Thomas Fenn , President of the Board of General Purposes , responded . He said the members of Grand Lodge who were present had been especially interested in the ceremony of the afternoon , and

that the Earl of Sussex Lodge was honoured by numbering among their brethren both of the Borough Members of Parliament . The W . M . next proposed "The Prov . G . M ., H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught . " Sussex Masons , he said , knew the deep interest the Prov . G . M . took in the province , and his sympathetic letter read during the afternoon , testified to his

great concern in everything relating to Sussex Freemasonry . They all wished him a speedy return , and were prepared to give him a hearty welcome . The W . M . then gave "The Prov . S . G . Warden in charge , Bro . the Right Hon . Sir W . T . Marriott , Q . C ., M . P ., P . G . Steward , and the Officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge , Present and Past . " He said that the

brethren of the province had full conhdence in Bro . Marriott , and felt that while he was in charge the province was well represented . The Present and Past Prov . Grand Officers were all tiue and trusty , and fully prepared to carry out any duty entrusted to them . Bro . the Right Hon . Sir W . T . Marriott , on rising to respond , was cordially received . Speaking for himself and the other Prov . Grand Officers , he said they were all prepared

to do their duty in their respective high positions . He had been gratified in attending the lodge that afternoon and witnessing the initiation of the three new members , and spoke in eulogistic terms of the admirable manner in which Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke had carried out the ceremony . Bro . T . Billing , Prov . J . G . W ., also acknowledged the toast . He congratulated the three initiates upon becoming

members of svich a lodge as that of the Earl of Sussex . Representations had been made to him of the duties which would devolve upon him if anything happened to Bro . Sir W . T . Marriott . He trusted nothing would happen to him , but in case of emergency , he and the remaining officers would do their best . Bro . Crawford I . Pocock , P . P . G . W ., also responded .

Bro . Sir W . T . Marriott next ' proposed " The Worshipful Master of the Lodge , " and spoke in high terms of the zeal and energy which Bro . Clowes displayed in Freemasonry . Bro . Richard Clowes was greeted with hearty and prolonged applause on rising to respond . He thanked Bro . Sir W . T . Marriott for the kind terms in which he had proposed the toast , and the brethren for their generous

reception of it . He was proud to be the W . M . of such a distinguished lodge , and trusted to always retain the good wishes of the brethren . As they would not meet again till next year , he heartily wished them all a " Merry Christmas " and a " Happy New Year . " He then gave what he termed the toast of the evening , "The Initiates . " He said he regarded their initiates as the coming officers and Worshipful

Masters of the lodge . Ihe lodge was proud to receive them . Bro . Gerald Loder numbered at least 7132 Brighton friends , all of whom had sent him birthday cards on the 2 Sth of October last , and those who did not agree with his views would wish him " Many happy returns of the day . " Bro . Scott recalled the name of an honoured brother—John Henderson Scott—and if their newly-made brother

followed in his footsteps , the lodge would indeed be proud of him . Bro . Chapman Marshall , an accomplished musician , would , he said , be able to add to their pleasures . He heartily welcomed the three initiates , and congratulated them upon having been initiated by the Grand Secretary . Bro . Gerald W , E . Loder was warmly applauded on rising to acknowledge the toast . Thanking the brethren for the

too flattering manner in which they had received the toast , he said the initiates , and not the lodge , had been honoured that afternoon . He had attended many ceremonies , but he could sincerely say that none had made such a deep impression upon him as the ceremony of his initiation . He felt grateful that he was enabled to respond in another capacity from that which he had recently occupied , and that he was not

expected to make a set speech . He looked forward with pleasure to his association with Freemasonry , and would work assiduously and earnestly in its promotion . He trusted he would then be able to respond in more eloquent and appropriate terms . Bros . A . Scott and Chapman Marshall also responded . The W . M . proposed " The Visitors . "

Bro . I ' . West , P . G . D ., responded , and , after thanking the lodge for enabling him to be present at the afternoon ' s ceremony and sharing their hospitality , said it would be better for the country at large if Masonic principles were more fully carried out , and that speeches in high places would be more moderate and conciliatory . Bros . Sir Somers Vine-, J . Blundell Maple , M . P ., and

Augustus Harris also briefly responded . The W . M . gave " The Past Master . " The lodge deeply regretted , he said , the 1 'ss of their first W . M . —the late Bro . Gerard Ford . Bro . Sir W . T . Marriott was their only P . M ., and while he continued to take an active interest in Freemasonry , their lodge would flourish . Bro . Sir W . T . Marriott responded . Alluding to the late

Bro . Ford's ability and zeal , he said their lamented brother had also time to devote to Freemasonry . He himself had not an abundance of time to spare , but he was as firm a believer as their late brother in the principles of the Craft . They were indeed grand principles , and he would defy the representatives of any religious creed to take exception to either of them . If those principles were not only professed but carried out the world would be much better .

The W . M . submitted "The Officers of the Lodge , " to which Bros . C . W . Hudson , P . P . G . W ., and R . Pidcock , P . G . R ., responded . The Tyler ' s toast completed the list . During the evening a pleasing selection of vocal music was sustained by Miss Minnie Freeman , Miss Edith Hands , Bro .

A . King , and Mr . Martin Barling , the last-named taking the place of Bro . j . P . Slingsby Roberts , Organist of the lodge , who had arranged the programme , but was prevented by illness from being present . The duties of accompanist were admirably carried out by Bro . W . N . Roe , P . P . G . Org .

Provincial Meetings.

CANTERBURY . St . Augustine's Lodge ( No . 972 ) . —The annual meeting of this lodge was held at the Masonic Temple , on Wednesday , the 27 th ult ., when , judging from the number of members of the lodge and visitors present , a most successful year was commenced . Bro . Albert H . Pilcher was most impressively placed in the chair of

K . S . by Bro . Sibert Saunders , l . P . M . igi 5 , _ there being 33 P . M . ' s present to witness the ceremony . The W . M . appointed as his officers for the year Bros . R . Westwood , P . M ., to act as l . P . M . ; E . Mills , S . W . ; T . Easton , J . W . ; Rev . P . J . Syree , P . P . G . C , Chap . j G . Pilcher , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C ., Treas . ; T . B . Rosseter , P . M ., Sec . j E . Beer , P . M ., P . P . J . G . D ., D . C . j A . H . Marks , S . D . j

C . M . Steward , J . D . j A . Emons . LG . j Byron Dewhurst , Org . ; W . Crumplin and G . E . Tournay , Stwds . ; and R . Blake , P . M ., Tyler . The brethren , to the number of 64 , afterwards adjourned to the Royal Fountain Hotel , where a most recherchebanquet was served by Bro . H . Ward . The W . M . occupied the chair , supported by his officers . After the removal of

the cloth , the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly given and honoured , and the pleasure of the evening was considerably enhanced by the excellent singing of Bros . J . Plant , J . Grundy , Byron Dewhurst , R . Rhodes , F . Tavenor , J . W . Jennings , and H . Letts . Among the visitors present at the installation and banquet were the following : Bros . Rev . P . G . Pagden , W . M . 709 ;

G . W . Speth , P . M ., Sec . 2076 j G . Briggs , P . M . 1572 j W . H . Longhurst , P . M . 31 j E . Cockersell , P . M . 1449 ; . R . Hall , P . M . 31 , P . P . A . G . Sec ; A . Develin , P . M . ' 1449 ; Rev . H . M . Maugham , P . M . 1915 , P . G . C ; H . Cumin , W . M . 2195 ; J . S . White , W . M . 2099 ; H . T . Naylor , P . M . 1440 , P . P . G . S . B . ; T . H . Blamiers , P . M . 1449 , P . G . Stwd . ; W . Clayton , W . M . 1449 ; W . Ashenden , P . M . 31 ; J . T . Reeves , P . M . 1915 ,

P . P . A . G . D . C . j T . W . Porter , W . M . 1915 j F . Tavenor , 2046 ; B . Lightfoot , D . C . 1915 ; H . Letts , S . D . 31 j E . A . C . Larkin , S . W . 2099 j C . R . Wind , I . G . 2305 ,-T . W . Beckett , S . W . 1449 j J . Laing , J . W . 1449 ; C Welby , S . D . 2099 ,- C . J . Hogben , 2099 j G . R . Stratford , 127 ; E . G . Walthew , S . W ., J . Wood , Sec , A . W . Southwell , F . F . Browning , S . Brown , C M . Driffield , A . Harman , W . B . London , and W . Brannan , all of 1915 ; and others .

CHELMSFORD . Lodge of Good Fellowship ( No . 276 ) . —The annual meeting ot this lodge was held in the Board Room of the Corn Exchange , on Thursday , the 6 th instant , and was rendered specially interesting as being the centenary of the lodge . In the absence of the W . M . ( Bro .

Langham ) through illness , the chair was taken by Bro . Wilson Metcalfe , P . M ., P . G . Std . Br ., who was supported by Bros . T . R . Jarvis , S . W . ; C . Williams , J . W . j Arthur Mead , P . M ., P . P . G . S . of W ., Treas . j John C . Creswell , J . D . ; James P . Lewin , P . M ., P . P . G . S . of W ., Sec- j F . H . Meggy , I . G . j Andrew Durrant , P . M ., P . P . G . Treas ., D . C j J . C Smith , Stwd . ; Thos . S . Sarel , Tyler j A .

F . Ginn , P . M ., P . P . G . P . j A . Goodchild , P . P . J . G . W . j J . S . Brown ( Mayor of Chelmsford ) , P . P . S . G . D . j E . Shedd ; P . P . G . R . j F . P . Suthery , P . P . S . G . D . j A . G . Maskell , P . P . J . G . D . ; H . W . Tanner , R . Cook , G . J . Louis Lamarque , E . j . Wick , F . H . Coppin , E . W . Holland , S . B . Baker , Jno . W . Hair , P . P . G . R . ; Alfred Pitts , James Tomlinson ; and the following visitors : Bros . Fred . A . Philhnrlr . O . C .. G . Resr .. D . P . G . M .: Thomas I . Railing .

P . A . G . T 3 . C Eng ., P . G . Sec . ; Joseph Sadler , P . G . Treas . j T . Winter Parker , W . M . 650 ; F . G . Green , P . M . and Sec . 1024 , P . P . S . G . W . ; A . Welch , P . M . 51 , P . P . J . G . W . j W . Christy , P . M . j F . J . Nunn , S . W . 206 3 j Fred Horsman , W . M . 51 j Jno . Taylour , jun ., P . M . 1 S 17 , P . P . G . Std . Br . j and others . The principal business of the evening was the installation

of the W . M . elect , Bro . T . R . Jarvis , S . W ., which ceremony was ably performed by the D . P . G . M ., assisted by Bro . A . Welch , P . M ., P . P . J . G . W ., to both of which brethren the hearty thanks of the lodge were returned for their services . The officers for the year were appointed and invested as follows : Bros . Charles Williams , S . W . ; F . H . Meggy ,

J . W . ; Rev F . B . Shepherd , Chap . ; Arthur Mead , Treas . j j . P . Lewin , Sec . j W . A . Kyle , S . D . ; J . C . Smith , J . D . j Andrew Durrant , D . C ; H . W . Tanner , I . G . ; " E . W . Holland and A . J . Pitts , Stwds . j and T . S . Sarel , Tyler . The W . M . drew attention to the fact that this was the centenary of the lodge , a fact of which they were all proudand proposed that steps be immediately taken to

, obtain a warrant empowering the members of the lodge to wear the centenary jewel . This was seconded by Bro . Dr . Shedd , and carried with great heartiness . The W . M . having been elected to represent the lodge on thc Provincial Charity Committee , the proceedings closed . Between 40 and 50 brethren subsequently dined together at the White Hart Hotel , a splendid dinner being well

served by the host , Bro . Hipkin . The new W . M . presided , and was supported by the brethren whose names are given above . The D . P . G . M ., in responding for the toast of his health , referred to the interesting fact of the day being the centenary of the lodge . A 100 years , he said , slipped very glibly from the tongue , but they must recollect it meant that several generations had passed away since

Freemasonry was established in the town of Chelmsford . It was gratifying to find that the lodge established 100 years ago was still flourishing , and he took it to be an earnest of the confidence which , as an old P . M ., he felt in its future , that Bro . Goodchild had not only sometime ago introduced his son , but that day had introduced his son-in-law also .

Later in the evening the subject of the centenary was referred to by the W . M ., who stated that he had the D . P . G . M . ' s assurance that not only would he do all he could to forward their application for a centenary warrant , but also should be pleased to , when the document was ready , attend a meeting , and present in the lodge the first jewels to its members .

HASTINGS . Derwent Lodge ( No . 40 ) . —A meeting was held on Monday , at the Castle Hotel , Assembly Rooms . Present : Bros . Rev . J . Puttick , Prov . G . C ., W . M . j W . S . Allen , S . W . j F . C . Edwards , J . W . j F . Rossiter , P . P . G . D ., Treas . j J . Pearce , P . M ., Sec ; G . Randell , S . D . ; R . Walmsley , J . D . ; G . H . Gage , I . G . j C . J . Ticehurst , Stwd . ; W . Leslie , Tyler ; T . W . Markwick , l . P . M . j T . Trollope , M . D ., P . M ., P . G . D ., P . P .