Provincial Grand Lodge Of Berkshire.

Bro . MARGRETT explained that a Committee had been deputed to consider the matter , and draw up a report , and while this was being done the Yoikshire Association referred to had sent out to the various provinces the circular which had been read . It should be distinctly understood that at

present the Board of Management of the Boys' School were not committed to any . particular course , although a strong opinion prevailed that it was desirable that the Schcol should be removed to a more suitable and commodious site . There was certainly no intention of selling the premises at a cacrifice or at anythirg like the price named in the Yorkshire circular .

Eventually Bro . TOMKINS proposed , and Bro . FERGUSON seconded , a resolution expressing the confidence felt by the Prov . Grand Lidge of Berkshire that the Board of Management of ihe Royal Masonic Institution for Boys would use the powers entrusted to them for the best interests of the School and the Craft .

This was unanimously agreed to . The PROV . G . SECRETARY then presented his report of the lodges in the province , of which it appeared ihere were 15 , embracing 635 members and 177 Past Masters . Last year 27 brethren joined and the initiations numbered ¦ > $ . There had been rjS regular lodges and nine lodges of emergency held during the 12 months .

Bro . M ARGRETT , Secretary to the Provincial Charity Committee , also presented an interesting report , recording the particulars of the success achieved for the candidate whose case was taken up by this province at the last election of Ihe Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution . As many as 4000 odd votes were given for the candidate , who was returned 10 th on the poll out of 64 applicants . This satisfactory result had been attained in a large measure by ihe kind assistance of Bro . Keyser and the brethren of the Bucks Province .

The report was unanimousl y adopted on the proposal of Bro . HORNE , seconded by Bro . GRISBROOK . Various sums were then voted to the different lodges in the province for the several Charitable Institutions of the Order . Bro . H . D'ALMAINE , in complimentary terms , proposed the election of Bro . Charles Stephens , as Prov . Grand Treasurer , which was seconded by Bro . FENTON , and carried unanimously .

Bro . STEPHENS , in reply , said it gave him great pleasure to again accept the office , which he had had the privilege of holding for the past 15 years . The DEPUTY PROV . G . MASTER then invested Bros . F .. C . Broquet , I . P . M . 209 ; \ V . J . Maurice , I . P . M . 414 ; \ V . Bonny , W . M . 414 ; Stephen Knight , jun ., S . D . 574 ; and G . D . Leslie , I . P . M . 18 S 7 , with the Provincial Charity jewel ; C . E . Kevser , W . M . 574 ; C . Slaughter , P . M ,

1101 ; and C . O . Burgess , W . M . 2460 , with the Charity bar ; and W . Ferguson , P . M . 1101 ; and C . Batting , W . M . 1566 , with the tri-toloured ribbon , The DEPUTY PROV . G . MASTER said he thought all the brethren would agree with him that the above was a a very satisfactory list of Stewards who had served at two or more of the festivals held in b : half of the Charitable Institutions of the Order . The following brethren were then appointed and invested as Prov . Grand Ollicers for the ensuing 12 months :

Bro . G . H . Morland , 945 , ... ... ... Prov . S . G . W . „ W . J . Maurice , 414 ... ... ... Prov . J . G . W . „ Rev . W . M . Hope , 574 ... ... ... } r . „ Rev . P . H . Ditchfi-Id , 2 437 ... ^ Prov . G . Chaps . „ Charles Stephens , 414 ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ J . VV . Martin , 414 ... ... ... Prov . G . Sec . „ F . Kedge , 2460 ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ E . W . Ridley , 1101 ... ... ... Prov . S . G . D .

„ H . S . Hanington , 574 ... ... ... Prov . J . G . D . „ F . Foxley , 795 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . of W . „ J . J . Gale , 1887 ... ... ... ' Pro . G . D . of C . „ C . Batting , 1566 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . of C . „ Lieut .-Col . E . Molyneux , 2437 ... ... Prov . G . S . B . ; : ISaSX ^ ::: ::: ;;> ov . G . std . Br , „ J . Kick , 1566 ... ... ... Prov . G . Org .

„ f . J . Lawes , 2043 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . bee . ,, J . Rcbertson , 1770 ... ... ... Prov . G . Purst . ,, C . E . Paterson , 1 S 99 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Purst . „ W . Bonny , 414 ... ... ... " ) " w ^* rW ? r ,- 94 S f Prov . G . Stwds . „ VV . lucker , 795 ... ... ... I „ J . H . Wilson , 574 ... ... ... J „ W . Hemmings ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler . The DEP . PROV . G . MASTER explained that in celebration of the 21 st

anniversary of the appointment of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales as Grand Master of the Order , the Grand Lodge had sanctioned that Past Grand rank should be conferred upon a certain number of brethren in recognition oi distinguished services rendered to the Craft . The Province of Berks was entitled to appoint one brother to such rank , and in considering who was most entitled to the honour , he felt no d fficulty in coming to a decision ,

¦ ind he had the plea < ure of announcing that , by the authority of the Grand Lod ge of England , he then conferred upon their energetic and much respected Provincial Grand Secretary , Bro . Martin , Past rank as Provincial Senior Grand Warden . This announcement was received by the brethren with loud applause , and Bro . MARTIN , who suitably acknowledged the compliment , was warmly congratulated .

1 he Prov . Grand Lodge business shortly afterwards terminated , and , on the kind invitation of the Deputy P . G . M ., the bre hren adjourned to the delightful grounds adjoining Bro . Morl 3 nd ' s residence , where they were photographed in a group . A well-ser \ ed dinner was subsequently provided by Mr . H . W . Gough , ° f the Crown and Thistle Holel , beneath a spacious marquee . An excellent selection of music was rendered by a stiing band stationed

° » the lawn . Ihe Dep . P . G . Master presided , and the customary Masonic toasts wt re pre pose d and re . 'ponded to . Ihe VVoithi pful Master and officers cf tie Abbey Lodge were warmly Ranked for tl . e admirable anargements made ( or the rtctption of the * ""ovircial Grand Lodge , and the hearty thanks of the brethren guierally wtie tendered to Bro . Morland for having pla : ed his pleasant grounds at ' service of the company after the lodge business .

Ij ' e annual gathering was favoured with glorious weather , and ihe re-11 , 11 journevs , made in the cool of the evening by road and rail , were much ' - "jojiid . Altogether tre Prov . Grand Lodge was as attractive and successul as any that have been held to : some years .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Essex.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF ESSEX .

The annual Provincial Grand Lodge of Essex was held at the Congregational Lecture Hall , Maldon , on Wednesday , the 15 th instant , under the presidency of the Prov . Grand Master , Bro . the Earl of Warwick . There was a large attendance of brethren , including—Bros , his Honour Judge Philbrick , Q . C , G . Reg ., Dep . Prov . G . M . ; Col . Lockwood , G . D . Eng ., Prov . S . G . W . ; F . S . Guy , Prov . J . G . W . ; the Rev . S .

Haslock , Prov . G . Chap . ; N . Fortescue , Prov . G . Treas . ; Thomas J . Railing , P . M . and Sec . 51 , P . A . G . D . C ., Prov . G . Sec ; C . Salter , Prov . S . G . D . ; J . Ferney , Prov . J . G . D . ; A . Lucking , P . G . P ., Prov . G . D . C . ; Robert Pitt , Prov . G . S . B .: J . G . Wingrove , Prov . G . Org . ; Charles Westvvood and F . W . Pelting , Prov . G . Stwds . ; A . Martin , Prov . G . Tyler ; T . G . Green , P . P . S . G . W . ; C . W . Barnard , P . P . G . S . ; A . Vandervoid , P . P . S . G . D . ; S . Prictor , P . P . G . S . ; T

Lloyd , W . M . 2561 , P . P . G . Chap . ; T . S . Raffles , P . P . G . Chap . ; D . J . Wright , P . P . G . P . ; G . Thomas , P . P . G . S . ; A . Barritt , P . P . A . G . Sec . ; R . Hayward , P . A . G . P . Suffolk ; F . C . H . Jones , P . P . G . Reg . ; j . Wiseman , P . P . A . G . D . C . ; J . Speller , P . P . G . D . ; G . Riches , P . P . A . G . P . ; T . Oldham , P . P . G . P . ; W . Meade , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; W . Willson , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; E . H . Baily , P . P . J . G . W . ; Walter de Caen , P . A . G . P . ; J . Sadler , P . P . G . Treas . ; Geo . Corbie ,

P . P . J . G . W . ; J . Fuller , P . P . G . P . ; J . Langdon , P . P . J . G . D . ; G . A . Eustace , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; F . A . Renshawe , P . P . J . G . D . ; Harold Gurney , P . P . G . I . G . ; Francis Bird , P . P . A . G . P . ; C . H . Canning , P . P . J . G . D . ; W . M . Butcher , P . P . G . S . ofWks . ; R . Martin , P . P . S . G . D . ; G . Brown , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; F . Wood , P . P . S . G . W . ; Thos . Ringrose , P . P . A . G . Sec . ; R . D . Poppleton , P . P . S . G . D . ; W . F . Reed , P . P . G . P . ; H . Dehane , P . P . S . G . D . ; J . J . C . Turner , P . P . S . G . W . j A . Dudgeon , P . P . S . G . D . ; A . J . Manning , P . P . J . G . D . ; -. Boulton , P . P . G . D . ;

Claude E . Egerton Green , P . P . G . Treas . ; G . Davis , P . P . G . P . ; J . P . Noyes , P . P . G . Chap . ; C . R . Finch , P . P . G . S . B . ; J . H . Salter , P . P . J . G . W . ; E . R . Horwood , P . P . G . Chap . ; T . J . D . Cramphorn , P . P . S . G . D . ; Edmund Gowers , P . P . G . Org . ; Francis White , P . P . G . Reg . ; S . Shawyer , P . P . G . S . B . ; J . Hutley , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; and Sir Wm . Abdy , P . G . D . Eng ., P . P . S . G . W . The visitors included Bros . V . P . Freeman , P . G . D ., P . G . Sec . Sussex ; VV . J . Spratling , P . P . G . T . Middx . ; and C . J . R . Tijou , P . A . G . P . Eng ..

The Prov . Grand Master , preceded by his officers , having entered the Provincial Grand Lodge in procession , the brethren took their positions under their respective banners . The Prov . Grand Lodge having been opened , the minutes of the last Prov . Grand Lodge were confirmed , and the roll of lodges called over .

The report of the Board of General Purposes , which was submitted , stated that since the last meeting of Prov . Grand Lodge their esteemed Deputy Prov . Grand Master had been appointed County Court Judge of an important district in the West of England . In offering tb his Honour Judge Philbrick hearty congratulations , the Board desired , on behalf of the

province , to express the hope that he might live long to enjoy his well-earned appointment . The accounts for the financial year , which had been previously audited by a sub-Committee appointed for the purpose , were submitted , and after payment of all outstanding claims , showed a balance in hand of £ 16 3 5 ; . gd . on the general account , and of - £ 29 15 s . 4 d . on the Charity account .

The returns from the lodges showed that during the past year there had been 151 initiations and 71 joining members . Against this there had been 85 resignations , the losses by death had been 34 , whilst 41 brethren had been struck off the books of their respective lodges , leaving the present strength

of the province 1939 members , against 1877 last year . The Board regretted to note that the brelhten returned as " in arrear " had increased from 152 last year to 190 this year , which was equivalent to 10 per cent , of the total membership of the province . The report was adopted .

The report of the Charity Committee , which was also adopted , stated that one candidate named Aberdein was elected , but for the Old People they could do nothing but repay votes that were borrowed , those for the widows being very difficult to dispose of . During the years 1 S 91—1896 inclusive the

Province of Essex had contributed no less than £ 10 , 354 to the Masoi . ic Charities , which gave an average of £ 1725 per annum . At the Girls' Festival the other day no less a sum than £ 964 was contributed by Essex , towards which Bro . Johnson , No . 2005 , contributed £ 315 ; Bro . Speller , No . " 2 3 ° 4 ' £ 263 , and Bro . Percy F . Beard , X 116 .

The PROV . GRAND MASTER then addressed the brethren , observing that since he was appointed Prov . G . M . Masonry had made great progress in the province , for the lodges had increased from 20 to 3 S . and the membership from 900 to 2000 . Everything was going on very well in the province , which had apparently adopted the motto of the neighbouring town of Chelmsford— " Many minds , but one heart . " The brethren ought to be

very grateful to the Board of General Purposes for the time they gave to their work . He had read their report with great pleasure , and particularly the paragraph which referred to B : o . Philbrick , and he was sure he was echoing the wish of all when he hoped that he mi ght live many years to serve his Queen and country . After alluding to the losses the province had sustained by death , the Prov . G . Master said that he trusted

that the young Masons who had joined would do all they could to keep the province second to none in the kingdom . He regretted that owing to his long distance at the time from Essex he was not present at the centenary celebration of the Brentwood Hope of Unity Lodge . He thanked the Maldon brethren for the care they had taken in making the arrangements for the day , and he especially thanked the Miyor of Maldon , wh 3 , though

not a Mason , had gone out of his way to give a most kind welcome to his brother Mayor . He was specially glad that the ladies would be present at their banquet , and he had noticed that the faces of those brethren who came down by train with ladies beamed with pleasure . But he hoped that only on special occasions , such as the present one , which was a sort of holiday

festival , would ladies be present at Masonic gatherings . It was unsuitable for ladies to attend those Masonic gatherings where ceremonies hid to be performed , because it was very possible that those ceremonies and th : work they had to do would be hurried and slurred over , to the disadvantage ol Masonry , because ihe brethren in lodge would be anxious to join the ladies who weie waiting for them in another room .

On the motion of the DEPUTY P . G . M ., a vote of thanks was accorded the entertaining lodges , the Mayor of Maldon , the Trustees of the Congregational Hall for the use of the ball , and the G , E R . Company for the facilities they had given to enable the brethren to get to Maldon .