Provincial Grand Lodge Of Cheshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF CHESHIRE .

The annual meeting nf the Prov . Grand Lodge of Cheshire vvas held on thi- 131 b insi . at Nam wi h . A large number of members ¦ f tbe Order were present , ad itional interest being lent 10 the occasion consequent upon the presentation to the Nantwich Lodge—known as the King ' s Friends Lodge—of a centenary warrant .

Provincial Grand Lodge was opened at the 1 own Hall by Bro . Lord Egerton of Tatton , Prov . Grand Master , who was accompanied by Judge Sir Horatio Lloyd , his deputy , and many other brethren of high rank ,

including—Bros . J . Bodenham , P . P . S . G . W . Staffordshire and P . G . D . C . Eng . ; J . Holbrook , P . D . G . M . British Columbia ; J . McLeod , P . P . S . G . W . Derbyshire , and Secretary R . M . I . B . ; T . C . Thorburn , P . S . G . W . ; T . Steele Sheldon , P . J . G . W . ; J . H . Bellyse , P . P . G . W . ; J . Salmon , P . P . S . G . W . ; J . Cookson , P . P . G . Treas . ; T . Bower , P . P . S . G . W . ; T . Drinkwater , P . G . Reg . ; Col . Wilkinson , P . P . G . W . ;

R . Head , P . P . G . Treas . ; the Rev . j . Grant Berd , P . P . G . Chap . ; E . G . Simpson , P . P . G . D . ; H . Smith , P . P . G . D . ; ] . Clayton , P . P . G . W . ; the Rev . R . Hodgson , P . G . Chap . ; H . Finch , P . P . G . Reg . ; T . Lockitt , P . P . G . D . ; L . Bentley , P . P . G . Reg . ; G . Brown , P . G . D . C ; T . A . i Maddocks , P . S . G . D . ; H . Smith , P . I . G . D . ; and H . Ellis , P . G . Org .

The roll of lodges was called , and it appeared that every lodge in the province was represented . After the minutes of the last annual meeting and of two special meetings had been adopted , Bro . E . T . GIBSON , P . P . G . Treas ., presented the Auditors' report , which stated that the balance in the bank of the Fund of General Purposes was £ 61 , and of the Fund of Benevolence ^ 117 . The balances showed a decrease upon those of last year owing to special items of expenditure , including a special donation of 50 guineas to the Cheshire Benevolent Institution .

The accounts were adopted , and a vote of thanks was passed to thc P . G . Treasurer and the Auditors for their services . Bro . SALMON , Chairman of the Committee of Benevolence , presented the report of that Committee . It stated that the receipts from all sources , including thr last year ' s balance , amounted to ^ 262 , andthe expenditure to

£ 144 . The aj p lications for relief had bcen more than usual . All were of a deserving character , and no case was refused . The report gave particulars as to the voting strength ol the province in connection with the three Metropolitan Masonic Charities . The sum of £ 3007 had been actuahy paid by the Cheshire brethren in the cause of Charity during the year .

Bro . SALMON moved the adoption of the report , which was seconded by Bro . J . CLAYTON , Vice-Chairman of the Committee , and adopted . Bro . SALMON proposed the adoption of the first report of the newlyformed Cheshire Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons and Widows . It stated that the Cheshire Educational Institution , for thepurposeof providing education at local schools and advancement in life for the children of indigent or deceased Cheshire Freemasons , was founded in 1863 . It had at

the present time invested capital amounting to / 6250 , and was dispensing its benefits to 47 sons and daughters ot less fortunate members of the Ord r . 1 he Cheshire jiasonic Benevolent Institution was established in the prisent year as an auxiliary 10 the Metiopolita Institution . l ' he total rece pis 10 date were £ ib-Vj , winch , with ihe e . xa pliun ol a small balance , had been invested , and now produced an annual ' income ol ^ , 69 . Bro . GIBSON seconded tlie motion , which was passed .

1 he PROV . GRAND MASTER then presented a centenary warrant tothe W . M . if the King ' s Friends Lodge , No . 293 . The document , which was read by Bru . H . FINCH , and which bore the sign manual o ! the Prince of Wales as Grand Alaster ol English Freemasons , set furth that the lodge was established at Nantwich on the 14111 March , 1793 .

In piesuuing the warrant , Bro . Lord EGERTON said it would be no dt . ul . l a J . IL- 1 satislaciK . il lu hu meiiib rs ul tlie K . d gc 10 possess su intervsliij ; a iii . Liimciil . lie- cxpie . 'SUM . 1 wish lhat the lunge might pn . sptrlur another too yeais . In a subsiquent address to thc meeting , Bru . Lord EGKRTON said there had been a steady increase in numbers during the year . 'I he numi er of

subscribing Masons in Cheshire was now 2241 , as against 1963 in the preceding year . There were now 45 lodges in the province . The work ol the Committee of Benevolence had been most satislactory . He was glad that Cheshire Masonry had shown itself in Such a practical character in connection with the work of education and the care ot aged Masons and their widows . The question gtnerally of provision for old age had been discus-ed

in the country , and he thought it satisfactory that I'reemasons at all events had recognised their responsibilities and had endeavoured to the best of their power to provide lor the welfare of their aged and less fortunate brethren . He hoped the Benevolent funds would be so well supported that it should never be said of any brother of good character , who had been recommended by his lodge , if he fell into misfortune , that he had not received

aid and support . He congratulated the province upon the work that had been done in the formation of the new Institution . With regard to the Educational Institution of Cheshire , in consequence of the Government bill for assisted education , and the facilities now , given for education , it was possible thai the lund which had been raised for that' puipose might nol be wanted to the same extent as hitherto , but aid 'from it would always be given towards clothing and maintenance . It might be possible , by taking

certain legal steps , to make the lund available for other benevolent purposes , and the time might come whtn the twolunds might be united and managed by the one Committee . In conclusion , Lord Egerton moved that the sum ol 25 guineas , ihe surplus of the inaugural festival of the Cheshire Benevolent Institution , be presented to the Institution in the name of the P . G . Sec , Bro . R . Newhouse , thereby qualifying him as a Vice-Patron of the Institution with 50 life votes . Bro , J . CLAYTON seconded the motion , which was passed .

The meeting proceeded to the election of a Prov . Grand Treasurer , and on the motion ol Bro . J . H . BELLYSE , P . P . G . W ., seconded by Bro . C . E . FORSDICK , Bro . J . Jackson , King ' s Friends Lodge , was unanimously elected to the oflice .

Auditors for the ensuing year having been elected , the Provincial Grand Master appointed the following biethren as officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge : Bro . W . Whiston , 295 ... ... ... Prov . S . G . W . „ A . G . Cummings , 293 ... ... ... Prov . J . G . W . „ Rev . R . Hodgson , 321 ... ... ... 1 r - ., Rev . C . Chetwynde Atkinson , 1045 ... J Frov > ° * ^ lla P s-„ J . Jackson , 293 ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Cheshire.

Bro . J . T . Thompson , 477 ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ R . Newhouse , 1045 ( re-appointed ) ... ... Prov . G . Sec . „ Capt . Cooper , R . A ., 2386 ... ... ) p ~ „ J . H . Wild , 537 j Prov . S . G . Ds . ,, G . W . Sidebotham , 361 ... ... ) r > 1 1- r ^ ; , J . Cl-irke , 60 s j Prov . J . G . Ds .

„ J . Armstrong , 2433 •••" ••••••Prov . G . S . of V / . „ H . Gordon Small , 2368 ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ J . Phythian , 33 6 ... ... ... Prov . D . G . D . C . „ W . Campbell , 1357 ... ... ... ^ „ Charles Vickers , 979 ... ... ... ^ Prov . A . G . D . Cs . „ T . Wood , 2144 ... .. -.. J „ John Bottomley , 324 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B .

„ J . Crook , 320 ... ... ... ) r > i- * CJ ™ ,, G . Boothby , 3 3 ... j Prov . G . Std . Brs . „ J . H . Brookes , 1126 ... ... ... Prov . A'st . G . Sec . „ H . Ellis , 721 ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ Thos . J . Darlington , 89 ... ... ... Prov . G . Purst . „ T . \ Y , A ,., Napier , 2132 ... ... ... Prov . Asst . G . Pur = t . „ SergeantiMajor M'Kay ... ... ~ |

„ Peter Blackburn „ Robert Fidler ... ... ... ID n c . J " I . F . Fear f Prov . G . Stwds . „ G . H . Hollins ,, John Cope ... ... ... ... ' ,-.. „ S . Smith ( re-appointed ) ... .,. Prov . G . Tyler

The PROV . GRAND MASTER announced that he should hold his next annual provincial meeting at Birkenhead . The Prov . Grand Lodge was then closed , and the brethren , headed by a band , walked in procession to the parish church . At the close of the service an offertory was taken in aid of the Provincial Fund of Benevolence . In the evening there was a banquet at the Brine Baths Hotel , Bro . Lord Egerton presiding .

Consecration Of The Hadrian Lodge , No. 2483.

CONSECRATION OF THE HADRIAN LODGE , No . 2483 .

A large and influential gathering of brethren took place in the Drill Hall , Pevensey , on Wednesday , the 13 th inst ., when the Hadrian Lodge , No . 2483 , was duly consecrated by Bro . Thomas Trollope , M . D ., P . G . D ., P . P . S . G . W . The Provincial Grand Officers were well represented , and there was a good attendance of brethren from the various lodges throughout the county .

Previous to the opening of the lodge thebrethren sat down to a luncheon in the Drill Hall , under the presidency of the W . M . designate , Bro . E . W . Stillwell , J . D . 1 , P . M . 1872 and 2020 , P . P . G . S . Surrey , vvho vvas supported by the Consecrating Officer , Bro . Thomas Trollope , M . D ., P . G . D ., P . P . S . G . W ., and the Ofiicers of Provincial Grand Lodge , Present and Past . The CHAIRMAN opened the toast list b y proposing " The Oueen an < t thc Craft" and "Thc M . W . G . M ., H . R . H . the Prince of Wale £ " vvhich were hear'ib received . ¦ . •¦ ' ¦ ¦

1 he CHAIRMAN then sunmiite I " The Officers of Grand Lodge , Present and Pa-t , " speaking bn . fL , but 111 eulogistic ie ms , of the excellent work perl . irmed in the Grand Lodge by the Grand Master and the Earls of Lathom and Mourn Edgcumbe . Bro . THOMAS TROLLOPE , in responding , said that though he was unprepared to make a speech — for he thought there would be no toast lisi—he vvas pro'id to be c . lied upon to acknovvle fife the toast of the Grand Officers . It

was gr lifying to them ai all limes to find iheir work so warmly appreciated by the brethren , and he could assure them lhat all the Gran . I Officers were indelatigablc in their work . Besides those mentioned , he alluded to Bro . I . Fenn as one uf I he best exponents til Masunic ritual , and to IJro . Pnilbrick , . inil lh < re \ v < re 111 . 111 ^ oilier-, lie sa il , who were pri . miiieni and zealous members ot Grand Lodge . As for himself , he was bin an ornamental figure-head , but , so long as he had health and strength , he would do his utmost to advance the cause of Freemasonry .

Bro . V . P . FREEMAN also acknowledged the toast , remarking that the new lodge—the 30 th in the province—had been started under good auspices , and had every prospect of becoming a success . 'The CHAIRMAN next proposed " The M . W . the Prov . Grand Master , H . R . H . the Duke of Connaugh ; the VV . Deputy Prov . Grand Master , the Right Hon . Sir W . T . Marriott , Q . C , M . P ., P . G . Steward ; and the

officers of Prov . Grand Lodge , Present and Past . " The Duke of Connaught , he said , had been called abroad , and was therefore unab « e to be present , while Sir W . T . Marriott , who had kindly promised to consecrate the new lodge , had been unexpectedly detained in Paris on important business . The founders of the lodge were deeply grateful to Bro . Trollope for kindly undertaking to act as Consecrating Officer , and he was sure the post would be well filled .

Bro . J . P . SLINGSBY ROBERTS , Prov . S . G . Warden , acknowledged the toast . He said that while all the brethren regretted the absence of Sir \ V . T . Marriott , he especially did so , as he vvas afraid he should unworthily respond to the toast . The Provincial Grand Officers , he said , welcomed the new lodge , the second added to the roll during the present year . He vvas glad to hear that there was every prospect of the lodge being

prosperous . The pleasure of the Provincial Grand Officers Was , perhaps , tinged with a little selfishness , for , as the roll of lodges now reached 30 , the province secured extra privileges , and would have additional officers . Bro . W . DAWES next proposed " Prosperity to the Hadrian Lodge . " All present , he said , were pleased to meet the W . M . Designate and the founders , and to congratulate them upon the new lodge . In giving

excellent advice and a few practical hints to the founders , he said that prosperity came from within a lodge , and that the brethren should aim , not at quantity , but quality . However , he hoped to find both amalgamated , so that the lodge would be financially successful . In ihe ' tr W . M . they had one who had rendered good service in Freemasonry , and he ( Bro . Dawes ) had every confidence in the new lodge .

The WORSHIPFUL MASTER DESIGNATE , on rising lo respond , vvas warmly applauded . H- said he hardl y knew how to lind words to than * Bro . Dawes for his kind allusion to himself . The founders , he said , won '" all remember his remarks , and endeavour to profit by them in the future work of the lodge . Alluding to his own Masonic experience , he said ' was initiated 13 years ago , - and had passed the chair ol two lodges ; ' therefore had some little knowledge of the working of . a lodge and the duties of W . M . Personally , he ventured to hope that the work of the