Provincial Grand Lodge Of Northants And Hunts.

The toast was enthusiastically honoured , and was duly acknowledged by Bro . HAVILAND . " The Worshipful Masters and Wardens of the Perseverance and other Lodges in the Province" was submitted from the chair , and replied to by Bros . WEBB , T . MERRY , and F . S . BUCKLE . The PROV . GRAND MASTER also proposed " The Masonic Charities , " to which Bro . G . ELLARD replied .

The proceedings were interspersed with songs , and a most ( pleasant evening was spent . As rrgards the new Masonic and drill hall , above referred to , a long-felt wanton the part of the Masonic brethren , as well as of the volunteers , has at last been supplied by the erection of a new building which provides accommodation for both . It is situated on the western side of York-road .

The Masonic Hill , which is 34 ft . by 18 ft ., is a well but plainly constructed room , and is fitted on the ground floor with a small ante-room and lavatoties . The entrance is from the northern side , a 4 ft . doorway _ giving admission both to the ante-room and to the stairs leading to the main hall . At the opposite end of the building is a 6 ft . entrance to the Drill Hall , erected for the use cf the Kettering ( M ) Company of the ist V . B . Northants

Regiment . Inside the passage is a room which will be utilised as an armoury , and just beyond a staircase leading to an officers' ante-room . The main hall , which is shut off with double doors , is a spacious and welllighted building , 33 ft . by 60 ft . Messrs . Talbot , Brown , and Fisher , of Wellingborough , were the architects , and the contractor was Mr . George Wilson , of Kettering .

Consecration Of The Rufford Lodge, No. 2553.

CONSECRATION OF THE RUFFORD LODGE , No . 2553 .

In Nottingham , on the 6 th inst ., a ceremony was pet formed which will remain memorable in the anntls of Freemasonry . From all parts of the province members had assembled to participate in the consecration of the Rufford Lodge , No . 2553 . Apart from those holding distinguished rank in the county , there were present no fewer than six officers of Grand Lodge ,

including Bro . Edward Letchworth , Grand Secretary . The gathering lacked one feature only . To the great regiet of all , his Grace the Duke of St . Albans , the Prov . Grand Master of Notts , was unable to be present . It was one of the largest meetings which upon an occasion of interest has taken place at the Masonic Hall of late years .

Upon the 21 st of February last the warrant was issued for the formation of the new lodge under the authority of his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , M . W . Grand Master . The founders were : Bros . Fred . W . Chapman , A . Lawson , P . P . G . T . ;

J . Sulley , Augustus J . Barber , Enoch Hind , P . G . T . ; Geo . Chapman , P . P . G . D . ; Henry J . Mellors , Thos . Hallam , Nathan Ashurst , P . P . G . D . Derbyshire ; Wm . Thompson Mather , W . W . Randall , Bingley Shaw , Charles Smith , Samuel Stevens , and John James Turner .

Provincial Grand Lodge was opened . In the unavoidable absence oi the Prov . Grand Master , Bro . Lieut .-Col . Newton , D . P . G . M ., and J . G . D , of the Grand Lodge , presided . His Honour Judge Masterman , P . J . G . W ., officiated as the acting Deputy Prov . Grand Master , and Bro . the Rev . A , J . L . Dobbin , 402 , P . P . S . G . W ., acted as S . G . W . These officers were

accompanied by the following from the Grand Lodge in addition to the Grand Secretary , Bro . Edward Letchworth : Bros . Balfour Cockburn , Prov G . M . for Guernsey and Alderney ; J . Parkinson , P . G . D . ; Knyvett , P . G . D . ; and J . H . Matthews , P . D . G . D . of C . The Provincial Grand Ledge Officers present , in addition to thoie already mentioned , included

Bros . W . Burrows , 1794 , 1405 , P . J . G . W ., P . P . G . Std . Br ., Rev . Henry T . Hayman , 402 , P . G . Chap .: Enoch Hind , 47 , 1405 , P . G . Treas . j Arthur Stubbs , P . P . G . W ., Prov . G . Sec ; W . F . Sandtrs , P . S . G . D . ; Alfred Aplin , P . J . G . D . ; George S . Green , P . G . Supt . of Wks . ; Samuel V . Holgate

P . G . D . of C . j | J . G . Martin , As . t . D . cf C . ; E . W . Kidd , P . G . S . B . ; S . Phillips , and George Atter , P . G . Std . Brs . ; W . T . Cockrem , P . G . Org . j J . Valpy-Thomas , P . G . P . ; J . Brocks , P . A . G . P . ; J . J . Turner , P . G . Tyler ; J . G . Carver , Lazenby , H . Hallam , and J .. W . J . Barnes , P . G . Stwds . ; and a large number of brethren .

After other business had been disposed of , the ceremony of consecrating the new lodge was entered upon , the principal office devolving upon the Grand Secretary ef the Order , who was assisted by Bro . Jas . H . Matthews , P . D . G . D . of C , together with the Rev . H . T . Hayman , P . G . C , and the Provincial Grand Officers of Notts .

The installation of Bro . Fredk . William Chapman as the first Master of the new lodge was performed by Bro . George Chapman , P . P . G . D . The appointment and investiture of officers succeeded , Bro . Nathan Ashurst , P . M ., P . P . G . D . Derbyshire , acting throughout as Director of Ceremonies .

The following were the appointments : Bros . A . Lawson , P . P . G . Treas ., l . P . M . ; J . Sulley , S . W . ; Augustus J . Baiber , J . W . ; Enoch Hind , Prov . G . Treas ., Treas . ; George Chapman , P . P . G . D ., Sec ; Henry J . Mellors , S . D . ; Thomas Hallam , J . D . ; VV . T . Mather , I . G . ; and W . W . Kandall , Bingley Shaw , and Chatles Smith , Stewards .

A banquet followed the consecration ceremony , and for this excellent arrangements had been made by Mrs . Simpson , the menu being unexceptionable . The gathering was presided over by the Master of the new J ° d ge , Bro . F . W . Chapman , who was supported by the officers of the ^ randand Provincial Grand Lodges . The customary Masonic toasts were honoured .

Inresponse to that of " The Officers of the Grand Lodge , Present and h ast , " which was proposed by BIT . F . VV . CHAPMAN , Bro . J . PARKINSON , re plied .

The toast of "The Provincial Grand Master , " which was also proposed D y the W . M ., was acknowledged bv Bro . Lieut .-Col . NEWTON . Bio . EDWARD LETCHWORTH , G . Sec , replying to the toast of "The ^ onsecrating Officer , " congratulated those assembled upon the interesting nd uni que circumstances connected with the gathering .

Consecration Of The Rufford Lodge, No. 2553.

The subsequent toasts included " The Worshipful Master , " proposed by the GRAND SECRETARY ; "The Installing Master , " given by Bro . A . LAWSON , P . P . G . Treas . ; " The Visitors , " proposed by Bro . CHAS . SMITH , and responded to by Bros . His Honour Judge MASTERMAN , \ V . BURROWS , and F . WHARTON ; " Worshipful Masters of Lodges in the Province , " proposed by Bro . NA . TI . UN ASHURST ; " The Masonic Charities , " given by Bro . E . M . KIDD , and replied to b y Bro . T . SALISBURY ; and " The Officers of the Lodge . "

An admirable programme of music had been arranged by Bro . Bingley Shaw .

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of North And East Yorkshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF NORTH AND EAST YORKSHIRE .

The annual meeting of the above Provincial Grand Mark Lodge was held at Freemasons' Hall , Malton , on Wednesday , the 22 nd ult ., on the invitation of the Fitzwilliam Lodge , No . 277 . There was a good attendance

of brethren from various parts of the province , including the Prov . G . M ., Bros , the Hon . W . T . Orde-Powlett ; the Deputy G . M ., Col . R . Smith , and many Past and Present Prov . Grand Officers from York , Scarborough , Whitby , Middlesborough , Beverley , Driffield , and Malton .

After the ordinary business of the province had been gone through , votes of condolence with the families of the late Bros . J . B . Nicholls and J . Marshall were passed . The Prov . Grand Master afterwards appointed and invested the officers for the year as follows :

„ Hodgson , 276 ... ... ... 1 ;; ^ sSeS ^ ::: ::: ::: p-G . stwd , „ T . Taylor , 291 ... ... ... J „ VV . Stockdale , 277 ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler . The brethren afterwards sat down to a banquet at the Talbot Hotel , Bro . the Hon . W . T . Orde-Powlett presiding .

Bro . G . Lamb , York ( T . I . ) ... ... ... Prov . S . G . W . „ E . K . Spiegilhalter , 277 ... ... Prov . J . G . W . „ H . C . Clarke , 291 ... ... ... Prov . G . M . O . „ J . Graham , 276 ... ... ... Prov . S . G . O . „ J . R . Lane , 281 ... ... ... Prov . J . G . O . „ Rev . C . E . L . Wright , York ( T . I . ) ... Prov . " G . Chap . „ A . W . Walker , 277 ... ... ... Prov . G . Sec . „ Holford , York ( T . I . ) ... ... ... Prov . G . R . of M . „ J . T . Oliver , 337 ... ... ... Prov . S . G . D . „ f . Edgar , 281 ... ... ... Prov . J . G . D . „ J . M . Wilson , 201 ... ... ... Prov . G . l . of W . „ W . S . Meek , 95 ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ F . R . Hansell , York ( T . I . ) ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . „ J . W . Barry , 337 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B . „ B . Cass , 95 ... ... .. „ . Prov . G . Std . Br . „ J . F . Watson , York ( T . I . ) ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ S . Ridge , 277 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Sec . „ J . T . R . Mider , 277 ... ... ... Prov . G . I . G .

The Boys' School Annual Athletic Sports.

THE BOYS' SCHOOL ANNUAL ATHLETIC SPORTS .

Beautiful weather favoured the annual athletic meeting of the pupils of our Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , which was held at Kempton Park on Saturday last , under the direction of t a Sports' Committee , of which Bro . George Everett , Past G . Treasurer , was the President , and Bro . J . M . McLeod , Secretary , and Bro . the Rev . H . Hebb , the Head Master , were members . It is needless , therefore , to say , that those who had the privilege

of attending enjoyed themselves most thoroughly . There was plenty of good music furnished by a full and well-conducted band of the T . Division of the Metropolitan Police ; ample refreshment at a reasonable tariff of prices was provided on the ground for those who needed it by Messrs . Bertram and Co . ; and , above all , there was a long programme of sport , in the course cf which the boys exhibited a rare spirit of healthy emulation , which reflects credit not only on the children themselves , but likewise on

those who have them under their charge . Moreover , everything was carried out promptly and punctually . The trains which conveyed the School and its hosts of friends were punctual , the arrangements were carried out as noted on the programme , and the clerks of the course were attentive to their duties and courteous withal . Indeed , the whole thing was ] a great success , and the School authorities , the Sports' Commiltee , and the boys are to be congratulated on the manner in which the meeting passed off .

The following is a list of the events , with the names of the winners in each :

Throwing the Cricket Ball ( open)—Fry , I ; BIyther , 2 . Distance thrown , So yards . One Hundred Yards ( under 13)—Chadwick , 1 ; Packham , 2 ; Morris , 3 . Four Hundred and Forty Yards ( open ) Handicap—Marston , 1 ; Fry , 2 ; BIyther , 3 . Three Hundred Yards ( open)—Mossop , 1 ; Wilkinson , 2 ; Leeming , 3 . High Jump ( preparatory)—Rees , 1 ; livans , 2 . Two Hundred and Twenty Yards Handicap ( under 13)—Chadwick , 1 ; Tanner ,

2 j Marston , 3 . High Jump ( open)—4-feet 5-inches—Fry , 1 ; Turner , 2 . Hundred Yards ( open )—Fry , 1 ; Wilkinson , 2 ; Mossop , 3 . Bowline at the Wicket ( open)—Davey , 1 ; Kennedy , 2 . Four Hundred and Forty Yards Handicap ( under 13 )—Chadwick , 1 ; Mills , 2 . Three-Legged Race ( open)—Williams and L . O . Roberts , 1 j Uinks and Mills , 2 . Two Hundred and Twenty Yards ( preparatory)—Frost , 1 ; Evans , 2 . Thousand Yards 1 Williams 2 Bennett

One Handicap ( open)—Mears , ; , ; , 3 . One Hundred Yards ( preparatory)—Muir , 1 j Evans , 2 . Hurdle Race ( open)—Marston , 1 ; Fry , 2 ; Wilkinson , 3 . Two Hundred and Twenty Yards ( open ) —Fry , 1 ; Mossop , 2 . Two Hundred and Twenty Yards Strangers' Race—C . U . Rees , St . Olave ' s Granmar School , 1 ; H . T . Brock , City of London School , 2 . Old Masonians ( 220 yards)—R . L . Churchill .