Provincial Grand Lodge Of West Yorkshire.

selected him for office in Grand Lodge , a distinction in which the province enjoyed a reflected honour . Bro . Wm . Blackburn , who for some years had fi lied the vice-chair , had been appointed as Bro . Lupton ' s successor on the Charity Committee , and with Bro . Child as vice-chairman , the brethren might rest assured that the highest traditions in the province in the great cause of Charity would be maintained . Coming to the annual returns , the P . G . M . expressed

satisfaction lhat these had been made with less delay than ever previously in the history of the province , and that they showed the highest number of initiations and joining members for the past 31 years , indcating the harmony that prevailed , and that the Order was growing in importance and numbers . Harmony and good order prevailed throughout the province , which at no previous time had been so prosperous . Personally he owed a deep debt of

gratitude to his Deputy , Bro . Richard Wilson , who had visited a large number of the lodges . Referring to the appointment of Provincial Grand Officers , the P . G . M . emphasised , the difficulty under which he laboured in making a selection when he had only 26 collars for disposal among the Si lodges , and said the effort was made to cover in a term of years the whole of the widespread districts of the province . Under the auspices of an

energetic Committee , an effort was being made to build a new Masonic Hall in Leeds for the use of the whole of the lodges of the city , and possibly to provide some accommodation for Provincial Grand Lodge . Out of the total of 10 , 000 shares , representing the capital of £ 10 , 000 , over 7000 shares had already been subscribed for . It was intended to mark the occasion of the laying of the foundation-stone by a Masonic function , and he was sure

the brethren of the province generally would support their Leeds brethren in their effort to provide a home worthy of the Fraternity . In conclusion , the P . G . M . asked the brethren to sanction a grant towards the South African Masonic Relief Fund , instituted by the Prince of Wales , for the relief of brethren impoverished by the existing war . This fund is entirely independent of the ordinary war funds , towards which Freemasons have

been liberal contributors—Grand Lodge having voted iooo guineas , whileto take two instances only—the brethren in Leeds have raised about £ 400 , and in Bradford over £ 600 . The fund is designed to render assistance and to in some measure express sympathy with the hard lot of Freemasons in the Orange Free State and the South African Republic who- have suffered severely in consequence of their loyalty to this coujrtry .

The P . G . M . moved that a sum of 20 guineas be contributed from the funds of Provincial Grand Lodge towards this object ; to which Grand Lodge has already assigned 1000 guineas . The motion was seconded by Bro . HENRY SMITH , P . D . G . M ., and supported by Bro . VV . C . LUPTON , who suggested that a larger grant might have been made , and carried unanimously .

Bro . WM . BLACKBURN , P . G . D ., in presenting the annual report of the Charity Committee , expressed regret that the subscriptions to the three great Masonic Charities had fallen below the average of the last 20 years , and in view of the fact that West Yorkshire , against a subscription of / 1520 , had received £ 2800 in benefits , urged the brethren to adjust the

balance . He drew special attention to the West Yorkshire Benevolent and Educational Fund , towards which £ 130 was subscribed during the year , and invited every brother in the province to establish the fund on a solid basis by qualifying for a Life Governorship by a contribution of one guinea annually for the next five years .

The balance-sheet of the accounts of Provincial Grand Lodge was adopted , on the motion of Bro . T . WOODS , P . G . Treas ., who proposed as his successor in office Bro . W . H . Wilson , P . M . 1102 . Bro . J . BARKER , P . P . G . S . of W ., seconded the proposition , which was carried . The P . G . M . proceeded to invest the following Prov . G . Officers for the ensuing year :

Bro . F . Cleeves , 904 ... ... ... Prov . S . G . W . „ H . G . Blackburn , 1311 ... ... ... Prov . J . G . W . ,, the Rev . Canon Glendinning Nash , 974 ... ) ~ , ; , the Rev . G . Ford , M . A ., 2558 ... . j Prov . G . Chaps . „ W . H . Wilson , 1102 ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ Major C . F . Bennett , 260 S .. ... Prov . G . Reg . „ Major H . G . E . Green , 1019 ... ... Prov . G . Sec . „ Lieut .-Col . E . S . Tozer , 1 39 ... . „ ¦) „ R . Hcdgson , 448 ... ... ... [ Prov . S . G . Ds . „ P . McGregor , J . P . ; 290 ... ... J „ W . E . Gray , 296 ... ... ... " ) „ T . Mallinson , 16 45 ... ... ... \ Prov . J . G . Ds . „ J . W . Foster , 28 9 ... ... ... J „ J . L . Fox , 208 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . of Wks . „ W . Watson , 61 , P . P . G . W . ... ... P . ov . G . Librarian . „ J . Millington , 1221 ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ S . Mortimer , 603 ... ... ... Prov . Dep . G . D . C . „ W . C . Fox , 226 3 ... ... ... - ) „ C . Middleton , 2069 — - ... [ Prov . A G . Ds . of C . „ J . Sykes , 1514 ... ... ... ) „ W . J . Morris , 1736 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B . „ C . Lingard , 1513 ... ... ... "( D r C . J r > " H . G . E . Ashlinl 2259 i Prov - G ' Std > Brs < „ J . Dunnill , 1019 .., ... ... Prov . G . Org . ,, H . Banks , 1042 ... ... ... Prov . Asst . G . Sec . „ W . Townend , 750 ... ... ... Prov . G . Purst . „ W . Ackeroyd , 971 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Purst . ,, Edw . Newsum , 242 .,, ... , „ > „ W . E . Turner , 11 oS ... ... ... ID r- c . J „ Geo . Williams , 139 j Prov . G . Stwds . ,, E . R . Dickinson , 308 .,, ... ,.. )

Lodge Friendly , 1513 , Barnsley , tendered an invitation to Prov . Grand Lodge to meet under its banner on the occasion of the half-yearly meeting in October next . Before the proceedings were closed the Provincial Grand Master was requested to tender to the M . W . G . M . the Prince of Wales , in the name of the brethren , heartfelt congratulations on his recent providential escape . A number of visiting brethren subsequently dined with the brethren of the St . James ' s Lodge in the Masonic Hall .

Tun LORD LIEUTENANT OK IRELAND and Countess Cadogan have been entertaining a number of guests at Dublin Castle this week , amonj th : n beinj th : Eirl an 1 Countess of Mayo , Bro . the Earl and Countess of Arran , the Earl and Countess of Rosse and Lady Muriel Parsons , Earl and Countess Anneslcy , the Countess of Huntingdon , Bro . Viscount and Viscountess Powerscourt , Lord and Lady Maurice' Fitzgerald , Lord and Lady Farnham , Baron de Roebeck , and Mr . Napier .

Ireland.

Ireland .

LAYING THE FOUNDATION-STONE OF A NEW MASONIC HALL AT LIMAVADY .

Limavady" is one of those ancient Irish towns where advance is gradual and decorous , but the Masonic body , numerically strong in proportion to the population , have taken the progressive step of erecting a Masonic Hall , which should furnish accommodation for the increasing local membership of the Craft during many years to come . The idea originated with Bro .

Hugh Henry , and was enthusiastically taken up by the brethren of the St . Alban ' s Lodge , No . 719 . Previously the 56 members had met in a somewhat confined area , their lodge room being situated in the upper storey of business premises in Main-street . Rather more than 12 months ago it was decided to furnish Limavady Freemasons with a more commodious and a

worthier home , and there was eventually obtained from Mr . S . M . Macroy , J . P ., at a reduced figure , a site at the end of Main-street , which is central , picturesquely surrounded , and suggests , in point of prominence , the position to be occupied by the new Belfast City Hall . Bro . Henry consented to discharge the duties of honorary secretary , with Bro . James Donaghy as

honorary Asst . secretary , and a building committee consisting of Bros . Jas . Donaghy , P . M ., S . Hanna , John Connell , Rev . G . W . Hamill , W . Gault , Marcus E . Walker , P . M . ; J . O . Irwin , H . J . Phillips , J . A . Long , P . M . ; H . Hazlett , and H . Henry . These brethren , of course , had the active co-operation of the officers of the lodge , principal among

whom are Bros . W . J . Swann , W . M . ; H . Hazlett , S . W . ; A . Campbell , J . W . ; H . Henry , J . D . ; John Connell , I . G . ; Robert Simpson , P . M ., Secretary ; and Marshall Gault , Tieasurer . It is intended to spend £ 1000 upon the new structure , which will be of red brick , with red sandstone

facings , and of Gothic style , with Ionic front , roofed with red tiles . The architect is Bro . W . J . Given , of Coleraine , and the builder Mr . James Wray , of Limavady . The foundation-stone of the new hall was laid on the 10 th instant by Bro . Sir J . Creed Meredith , LL . D ., the Deputy Grand Master of Ireland , and the ceremony attracted neatly every dweller on the banks of the Roe who had a possibility of attendance .

The Prov . Grand Lodge was opened by the Deputy Grand Master shortly afer noon , and on this occasion Bro . Dr . Thomas M'Laughlin was installed Deputy Prov . Grand Master , in succession to Bro . Sir Wm . Miller . A procession was then formed by the Prov . G . D . of C , Bio . J . Steele Hanna , and proceeded to the site through the principal streets of the town

in the following order : Tyler , with drawn sword ; the Stewards , with wands ; Master Masons , according to seniority of lodges ; Past Masters , according to seniority of lodges ; Past and Present Provincial Grand Officers of other provinces ; Past Provincial Grand Officers of Dirrv and Donegal ; Provincial G . I . G , with drawn sword ; two Provincial Grand Stewards , with wands ; the architect , with rquare , level , plumb rule , and

plan of hall ; the Provincial Grand Organist ; the Provincial Grand Superintendent of Works ; the Orders of Architecture , borne by three Past Provincial Grand Officers ; the trowel , borne by a Past Provincial Grand Officer ; the mallet , borne by a Past Provincial Grand Officer ; the Book of Constitutions , borne by the Worshipful Master of the senior lodge present ; the Three Lesser Lights , borne by three Past Provincial Grand Officers ; the Three Great Lights , on a velvet cushion , borne by a Past

Provincial Grand Officer ; the Provincial Grand Chaphins ; the Provincial Grand Secietary , with great seal ; the Provincial Grand Treasurer , bearing phial containing coins to be deposited in the stone ; the Provincial J . G . W ., carrying silver vessel with corn ( wheat ); the Provincial S . G . W . carrying silver vessel with wine ; the Provincial D . G . M ., carrying golden vessel whh oil ; the R . W . Provincial G . M . ; the Grand Sword Bearer , with sword ; and the two Grand Deacons , with wands , supporting the R . W . D . G . M . of Ireland .

The procession marched three times round the site of the proposed building , and then formed a hollow square , inside which stood the Grand Officers , Provincial Grand Officers , and office bearers . The hymn , " Genius of Masonry , descend , " having been sung , and prayer offered by the Provincial Grand Chaplain , the ceremony was proceeded with . The

ritual commanded close attention by reason of its impressiveness , literary grace , and emblematical significance . According to custom , square , level , and plumb-rule were first applied to the stone , over which were then distributed wheat as the emblem of plenty , wine as the emblem of joy and gladness , and oil as the emblem of peace . These practices were followed by the Chaplain's eloquent invocation .

Underneath the foundation stone a cavity was formed , and in it were placed by the Secretary several current coins of the realm , also a parchment roll bearing the names of the members of the lodge for whom the b jildmg is being erected , together with those of the architects and builder , and that of the brother who laid the foundation stone , and the date of deposit , the

roll being placed inside a bottle or jar , which was hermetically sealed . The stone , hitherto suspended beneath a tripod by a rope , was lowered into its place with three distinct pauses or checks , and the Deputy Grand Master having received the trowel , proceeded to spread the corn , siturated with the wine and ' oil , over the stone . He then struck the stone three times with the maul , and the public honours of Freemasonry were given .

After the Deputy Grand Master ' s address , and the Masonic anthem , " Hail , Masonry Divine , " Bro . Sir J . C . MEREDITH , D . G . M ., said he wished to make a few remarks before the brethren dispersed . They were assembled for the purpose of commencing a work which he trusted would be of lasting blessing ,

not merely to the members of their own Fraternity who would assemble within its walls , but to the people of the town and district . He believed the precepts taught to them as Masons must be of lasting benefit to the communities within which Masonic lodges assembled . They as Masons had been taught their duty to the great God who rules over the universe , and that they should never mention His name but with all the ave and