Provincial Grand Lodge Of Oxfordshire.

in the present year was placed in the cavity . The phial also contained copies of the Freemason and Banbury Guardian , and a . scroll bearing the following inscription : " The stone of this Masonic Hall was laid by His Royal Highness Prince Leopold , Duke of Albany , K . G ., Provincial Grand Master of Oxfordshire , on the 17 th of November , 1 S 82 . The Hall was built by

brethren of the Cherwell Lodge , No . 599 . The architect was Bro . VV . E . Mills ; the builder , Mr . A . Kimberley . The officers of the lodge for that year were : Bros . J . S . Palmer , W . M . ; W . P . Ellis , I . P . M . ; W . A . Samman , S . W . ; J . Tillyer , J . W . ; J . Potts , P . M ., Treas . ; E . J . Hartley , P . M ., Sec . ; J . S . Wells , S . D . ; T . P . Barford , J . D . ; J . Griffin , M . D ., P . M ., D . C ; W . Cbamberlin and T . Fowler , Stwds . ; T . Moss , Tyler . "

The W . M . of the Cherwell Lodge then presented to H . R . H . a silver trowel , bearing the following inscription : "Presented to H . R . H . Prince Leopold , Dukeof Albany , K . G ., & c , Right Worshipful Prov . Grand Master of Oxfordshire , by the brethren of the Cherwell Lodge , 599 , on the occasion of the laying of the foundation-stone of the Masonic Hall at Banbury , November 17 th , 1882 . "

The cement was then spread , and His Royal Highness adjusted the same with the trowel , after which the upper stone was lowered with three distinct stops . H . R . H . next proved the justposition and form of the stone by the plumb rule , level , and square , which were successively handed to him by the Prov .

Grand Junior Warden , the Prov . Grand Senior Warden , and the Deputy Prov . Grand Master , and being satisfied with the result said " I find this stone to be plumb , level and square , and I declare it to be duly prepared and duly laid , and that the Craftsmen have worked well . 55 He then struck the stone three times with the mallet . The cornucopia containing the corn ,

and the ewers with the wine and oil were then handed to H . R . H ., who scattered the corn on the stone " as the emblem of plenty and abundance of God's best gifts ; ' then poured upon it the wine " as thesymbol of strength and gladness , " and finally sprinkled it with oil "as thc emblem of peace and harmony . " Player was again offered up by the Prov . Grand Chaplain ,

after which the architect presented the plans of the intended building , which H . R . H . inspected and then returned , saying , " ' I now place in your hands the plans of this intended building , together with the necessary tools , not doubling your skill and ability as a Craftsman ; and I desire that you will proceed without loss of time to the completion of thc work , in conformity 5

with the plans and designs now entrusted to you . ' The ceremony being now complete , the MAYOR of Banbury came forward and presented an address of welcome in the name of the town and Corporation , which was graciously received by H . R . H . The Mayor said : May it please your Royal Highness , —Your Royal Highness having graciously

consented to receive an address from the Corporation upon this , your first visit to the ancient borough of Banbury , I have the honour , as Mayor , to present your Royal Highness with this address , devoutly praying that God in His goodness will bless your Royal Highness with health and strength to fulfil those important duties whicii belong to , and arc in harmony with , your exalted position . ( Cheers ) .

The brethren were then marshalled in the same order as before , and returned to the Town Hall , the Prince being all the way greeted with the most hearty cheers by the thousands of spectators who lined the way , and filled every available window along the line of route .

On their return to the Town Hall the Prov . Grand Lodge was resumed , and the Deputy Prov . Grand Master gave in his report on the lodges in the province , showing that with one exception all the lodges in the province were in a prosperous condition .

The PROV . GRAND 1 RKASURER presented Ins report , and the DEI-UTY PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER moved that a sum of ten guineas be granted to the local charities , and that a like sum of ten guineas be granted to the Masonic Institution for Boys , both of which grants were voted unanimously . Bro . Emberlin was then unanimously re-elected Provincial Grand Treasurer .

The DEPUTY PROV . GRAND MASTER then , addressing the Provincial Grand Lodge , said that a private proposition had been made in Grand Lodge for the increase of the quarterages payable to Grand Lodge , and a communication had been received by the Prov . Grand Secretary with the view of ascertaining the opinion of the Provincial brethren on the subject .

The matter had already been before several Provincial Grand Lodges , and most of them had declined to consider the subject , and he ( the Deputy Prov . Grand Master ) distinctly recommended them to follow the same course , and

concluded by moving that the proposition of Bro . Clabon be not entertained by this Provincial Grand Lodge . He thought that , although the proposal if carried into effect might benefit London brethren , it would be of no advantage to the provinces .

Thc proposal that Bro . Clabon's proposition be not entertained having been seconded , was put to the vote and carried unanimously . It was then proposed by Bro . MORRELL , and seconded by the D . P . G . M ., and carried , that a Committee be appointed from the Provincial Grand

Lodge to consider thc proposed alterations in the Book of Constitutions , and to make , if necessary , suggestions to Grand Lodge in reference thereto ; and a Committee of ten , viz ., the Deputy Prov . Grand Master , the Prov . Grand Wardens , the Prov . Grand Treasurer , thc Prov . Grand Secretary , and Bros . Morrell , Pickard , Wigram , Ansell , and Hawkins , was appointed .

The R . W . PROV . GRAND MASTER then rose and said : Brethren , I propose that a vote of ten guineas should be made to the Royal College of Music . I think I need not tell you anything about the College of Music , as it has already been very widely made known . It is an object which , as you know , the Grand Master has vcry much at heart , and—if it has any weight witii you—one tliat I also have very much at heart . I believe that

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Oxfordshire.

this is the first Provincial Grand Lodge where this proposal has been made ; but I hope it may be followed by all the other Provincial Grand Lodges . I hope you will set a good example . I have consulted the Grand Secretary , and find that we can afford the sum I propose . ( Applause . ) The proposal was seconded by the DEPUTY PROV . GRAND MASTER , and carried unanimously .

1 he report of the Charity Committee having been printed and circulated , was taken as read ; and , on the motion of the DEPUTY PROV . GRAND MASTER , seconded by the PROV . GRAND CHAPLAIN , was adopted . The Charily jewel was presented by H . R . H . the Prov . Grand Master to Bro . R . E . Baynes , Steward to the Girls' School and Benevolent

Institution in 1 SS 2 , and bars of the jewels were presented to Bro . Rev . H . A . Pickard , 357 , Steward to the Girls' School , 1 SS 2 ; Bro . H . O . Wakeman , 47 S , Steward to the Girls' School , 18 S 3 ; Bro . J . Potts , 599 , Steward to the Girls' School , 1 SS 2 ; Bro . F . W . Ansell , 340 , Steward to the Benevolent Institution , 1 SS 2 ; and Bro . H . R . Cooper Smith , 357 , Steward to the Benevolent Institution , 1 SS 2 . The following Provincial Grand Officers were then appointed and invested , after which the Provincial Grand Lodge was closed in due form

and order : Bro . Reginald Bird . ... ... ... ... D . P . G . M . „ E . L . Hawkins ... ... ... ... p . S . G . W . ,, J . S . Palmer ... ... ... ... p . J . G . W . ,, Rev . F . H . Penny ... ... ... .,. )

„ Rev . J . Payne v Prov . G . Chaps . „ W . L . Morgan ... ... ... ... p . G . Reg . „ A . Winkfield , P . P . G . W Prov . G . Sec . ,, H . Houghton , P . P . G . W . ... ... ... p . G . A . Sec . „ S . Sandbach ... ... ... ... Prov . S . G . D .

„ A . Brakspear ... ... ... .., Prov . J . G . D . „ T . Lucas p rov . G . D . of C „ F . Codd ... ... ... ... ... p . G . A . D . C . „ J . L . A . Monckton ... ... ... ... p . G . S . B . ,, W . J . Birckbeck ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ W . A . Samman ... ... ... .. ¦• > ,, C . Head j Prov . G . Pursls .

„ B . Hunn , A . T . Matthews , D . Snell , J . A .. Acock Rev . H . C . Rogers , M . J . Stone , t Prov . G . Stwds . and Wigg ... ... ... ,., } „ G . Norwood ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler . „ W . Biggs Prov . G . A . Tyler

His Royal Highness the Prov . Grand Master subsequently presided over the brethren at a banquet , which was laid out in the Corn Exchange , which was elegantly arranged for the occasion , after which a number of loyal and

Masonic toasts were proposed by the Chairman ; but as the occasion was graced by the presence of ladies , who appeared in considerable numbers as spectators in the galleries , cheering after the toasts was substituted for Masonic firing .

After the toast of " The Queen and the Craft , ' which was , as usual , enthusiastically welcomed , His ROYAL HIGHNESS said : Brethren , the next toast on the list is one which is always received with enthusiasm b y the Masons of this country . It ought to be , therefore , a very easy toast for me to propose to you , were it not

that the person whose health I am going to ask you to drink is my own brother —( applause ) - —and it does not do for one brother to praise another—( " Yes , yes , " and applause ) . I am sure you all know , brethren , that he is

a thorough Mason —( hear , hear )—and that he has the Craft much at heart ; and I am sure I am not stating too much when I say that one of the titles which he is proudest of bearing is that of Grand Master of the Freemasons of this country ; and as such , brethren , I ask you to drink his health .

Bro . REGINALD BIRD , M . A ., D . P . G . M ., proposed the next toast . He said , brethren , the next toast I have to propose to you is " The Health of the M . W . the Pro Grand Master , the R . W . the Deputy Grand Master , and the officers of Grand Lodge . " The Pro Grand Master and the

Deputy Grand Master you know take an immense interest in Freemasonry , and the President of the Board of Gene ral Purposes and the Grand Secretary of England , who are here , do more real work than any of the remainder . I give you the toast of the Grand Officers coupled with " the Health of Sir John B . Monckton . '

Bro . Sir J B . MONCKTON : Your Royal Highness , Bro . Deputy Grand Master , and brethren—To respond to this toast is not only to all good Masons a pleasure , but an excedingl y high honour ; because , without doubt , leaving out of the question those standing before you , it comprehends many excellent Masons , and therefore , many most excellent men . Your

Royal Highness , I owe very much to this province , although I have not the happiness to belong to it . I had the happiness to initiate my eldest son into Masonry , and I have had the honour to see that son to-day receive at the hands

of your Royal Highness the collar of a Provincial Grand Officer . I am sure every brother will agree with me that I have reason to be proud of my position . Brethren , I thank you for the manner in which you have received , as you always do receive , this toast .

Bro . Lord LEIGH , Provincial Grand Master of Warwickshire ; I little expected when I had the honour of attending to-day the ceremony—thc very interesting ceremony—that we have witnessed in this town , that I should have had the high honour of proposing the toast which may be called ( he

toast of the evening . But I have been called upon to propose that toast , and I do it with very great pleasure ; and I feel , moreover , that it is one which wlil be enthusiastically received by every brother present , that it will not require any words from myself to assure a hearty response . It is some four or five ycars ago that I had the vcry great pleasure of . attending , for thc first