Provincial Grand Chapter Of West Yorkshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND CHAPTER OF WEST YORKSHIRE .

The half-yearly meeting of the above Provincial Grand Chapter was held on the 15 th inst ., in the Freemasons' Hall , South-parade , Huddersfield . More than usual interest was taken in the proceedings , from the fact that the present is the centenary year of the Prosperity Chapter , No . 290 , under whose auspices the meeting was held , and there was consequently a numerous attendance of companions from all parts of the province .

The 15 th instant was also the day appointed for the ordinary meeting of the Prosperity Chapter , which was opened by Comp . C . H . Crowther , with the customary ceremony . Comp . the Right Hon . W . L . Jackson , M . P ., the Grand Superintendent , was unable to be present , and the Prov . G . Chapter was presided over by Comp . J . C . JMalcolm , Prov . G . H ., who was supported by the following acting Provincial Grand Officers : Comps . Ensor Drury , P . G . S ., as P . G . H . , * W . C . Lupton , P . G . J . ; Capt . H . G . E .

Green , P . G . S . E . ; J . B . Whiteley , as P . G . S . N . ; J . Gibbs , P . G . Treas . ; A . Robertshaw , P . G . P . Soj . ; J . W . Cocking , P . 1 st A . G . Soj . ; James W . Tanner , P . 2 nd A . G . Soj . ; A . Armitage , P . G . S . B . ; T . W . Roome , P . G . Std . Br . ; H . Beaumont , P . A . G . Std . Br . ; J . E . 'Cave , P . G . D . C ; F . S . H . Wilson and J . Tillotson , P . A . G . D . Cs . ; W . H . Hewson , P . A . G . S . E . ; T . Chester , Janitor ; and J . H . Simpson , R . Sheard , and R . Hodgson , P . G . Stwds .

The minutes of the Provincial Grand Chapter held at Wakefield having been confirmed , The ACTING G . SUPERINTENDENT , in an address to the companions , pointed out that several cases of fraud by persons seeking relief had been detected not only in that but other provinces , and advocated that West Yorkshire should adopt a recognised mode of dealing with the system of fraud which had been going on .

Comp . W . L . WILJISHURST , in celebration of the centenary of the Prosperity Chapter , read an interesting paper on the history of the chapter . The ACTING GRAND SUPERINTENDENT then presented to the First Principal of the Prosperity Chapter the centenary warrant , which had been granted by Grand Chapter , and remarked that there were only three older chapters in the province . He also presented the centenary jewels to the companions of the chapter . Comp . C . H . CROWTHER briefly acknowledged the presentation .

A vote of thanks for his paper was accorded to Comp . Wilmshurst , on the motion of the ACTING GRAND SUPERINTENDENT , seconded by Comp . PARKE . An Invitation to hold the next meeting at Slaithwaite was given by the Colne Valley Chapter , No . 1645 , and the proceedings terminated . A tea was subsequently held in the hall , to which a large number sat down .

Ireland.

Ireland .

IMPOSING MASONIC CEREMONY IN BELFAST . INSTALLATION OF . THE NEW DEPUTY PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER OF ANTRIM .

One of the most important and most imposing Masonic functions which have ever taken place in this city was witnessed on the 14 th inst . in the Exhibition Hall , Botanic Gardens , where fully 700 members of the Order of Free and Accepted Masons assembled in full Masonic regalia , wearing the various aprons , collars , jewels , and other insignia of the ancient Craft degrees and of the various offices which they individually represented . The

interior of the hindsome and capacious hall , which for thc nonce did duty as a Masonic temple , presented a most brilliant appearance . The walls were profusely decorated with flags , bannerets , and groups of banner trophies , and the platforms were most tastefully decked with choice plants of various kinds . The centre of the hall was devoted to what was known as the Provincial Grand Lodge proper , furnished with its dais , altar , and

requisite pedestals , on which the various articles of symbolic furniture and working tools were duly distributed in accordance with the ritual customs of the Fraternity . The demonstration was organised for the purpose of performing the imposing ceremony of installing Bro . Robert J . Hilton , J . P ., 28 , into the important office of Deputy Grand Master of the Masonic Province of Antrim-a position which was lately rendered vacant by the deeply regretted demise of Bro . Thomas Valentine , J . P ., 32 , who occupied that

exalted position for a period of fully 15 years . A short time prior to his death , Bro . Valentine , in conequence of failing health , tendered his resignanation as Deputy Provincial Grand Master to the Most Honourable the Marquis of Hcrlford , Provincial Grand Master of Antrim , who , with the cordial concurrence of his Grace the Duke of Abercorn , Grand Master of the Freemasons of Ireland , appointed by letters patent Bro . R . J . Hilton , Prov . G . Sec , as Deputy Provincial Grand Master of the Freemasons of Antrim .

Bro . Hilton ' s Masonic career has been a long and brilliant one . He was initiated into the Order in this city in the year 1863 , and obtained his first Provincial Grand Lodge honours in 1869 , when he was appointed Provincial Grand Steward . He was elected to the important position of Provincial Grand Secretary of Antrim in 1871 , and resigned that office in 1873 , after two years' active service . In the year 1882 , he received the highest honour

which it is possible for his brethren of the province to bestow upon himthat of the dignity of Provincial Senior Grand Warden—and again in the year 1 S 85 he was re-elected Provincial Grand Secretary , which important and onerous position he now vacates , carrying with him the most sincere expressions of recognition of his brethren for his many services to the Craft

whilst he occupied that ofiice , as well as their well-merited congratulations upon the dignity which has been conferred upon him . It might also be mentioned that for a considerable number of years back B-o . Hilton his been chosen as on ? of the representatives of this province of the Grand Lodge of Ireland . Besides his advancement in Craft Freemasonry , provincially speaking , Bro . Hilton has also received the distinguished

Ireland.

honour of being appointed in the year 18 91 the representative of the United Grand Lodge of Colon and Cuba at the Grand Lodge of Ireland . In the higher grades of Freemasonry Bro . Hilton also figures prominently . In 1 SS 3 , he was admitted as a Prince Mason into Rose Croix Chapter , 12 , of this city , and a few years afterwards he became M . W . Sovereign of tha t chapter , and in the year 1 S 93 , he was admitted to the exalted D igree of

Knights of the Sun , the 28 th Degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry , which rite comprises altogether 33 Degrees . Bro . Hilton ' s career in Freemasonry , as will thus be seen , his bjen a very brilliant and a highly successful one , and there is every reason to believe that in the exalted position which he now fills his miny talents , combined with his great experience in Masonic jurisprudence , and the zeal and perse- '

verance which have ever characterised his labours , will enable him to so discharge the duties of his high office as to reflect not only credit upon himself , but honour and dignity upon the members of the Craft over whom he will be called upon to preside , and who , it is needless to say , are sincerely proud to greet him as a distinguished brother whom all are deli ghted to honour .

In the unavoidable absence of his Grace the D jke of Abercorn and the Most Honourable the Marquis of Hertford , the ceremony of the installation was performed by Bro . James Creed Meredith , LL . D ., Dep . G . M . of the Freemasons of Ireland , who was specially accompanied from Dublin by the following officers of the Grand Lodge of Ireland , who took

part in the ceremony : Bros . William Spence , C . E ., S . W . ; George W . Drury , G . D . C . ; James M . Lowry , G . Stwd . ; William M'Gee , J . P ., G . S . B . ; George Scriven , M . D ., G . I . G . ; and W . J . Chetwode Crawley , LL . D ., G . Sec . of the Grand Lodge of Instruction . Among the brethren who occupied seats on the dais were the following Present and Past Prov . Grand Lodge officers :

Bros . R . J . Hilton , P . G . S . ; George Andrews , P . S . G . W . ; Wm . Rankin , P . G Treas . ( P . G . Sec-elect ); R . J . Brown , P . S . G . D . ; H . Y . Johnston , P . J . G . D . ; H J . Hill , P . G . D . of C ; W . J . Adjev , P . G . S . ; J . Eagleson , P . G . S . B . ; S Leighton , P . G . Org . ; H . Hayes , P . G . I . G . ; G ; orge St . George , P . G . Insp . J . Irons , P . G . Insp . ; J . Byrne , P . G . Insp . ; R . Shannon , P . P . J . G . W . ; William Wallace , P . P . J . G . W . ; R . JI'Master , P . P . S . G . D . ; R . B . Andrews , P . P . G . S . B . R . Clelland , P . P . J . G . D . ; J . R jbinsoa , P . P . S . G . D . ; H . Hunter , P . P . G . I . G . ; D

BRO . R . J . HILTON , DEPUTV PROV . GRAND MASTER ANTRIM . J . Barry , P . P . G . S . B . ; Wm . Cairns , P . P . I . G . W . ; | . Frami , P . P . S . G . D . ; R . Rodgers , P . P . G . I . G . ; G . M'Comb , P . P . J . G . D . j A . Stalker , P . P . J . G . D . ; J . Bun , P . P . G . S . ; J . Clarke , P . P . G . I . G . ; J . Millikin , P . P . G . I . G . ; A . Boyd , P . P . G . S . B . ; J . Laughlin , P . P . I . G . S . ; J . Birr , P . P . S . G . W . ; R . Arm--. rone , P . P . G S . D . ; Wm . M'Larnon , P . P . J . G . D . ; G'C > nn ; ll Shiw . P . P . S . G . W . ; H . Oiborne ,

M'Cormick , P . P . G . I . G . ; R . Carrey , P . P . J . G . W . ; W . S . Core , P . P . S . G . W . ; J . H . Woods , P . P . J . G . W . ; R . Cloughley , P . P . G . I . G . ; T . Whiteside , P . P . G . S . D . ; A . Tate , P . P . G . Sec . ; J . H . Neill . P . P . S . G . W . ; G . Tate , P . P . G . I . G . ; A . Fetherstonagh , P . P . G . S . B . ; R . K . L . GiUowiy , P . G . S . Armigh ; Rev . D . Murphy , P . P . G . Chap . ; J . Mintell , P . P . G . S . ; j . M'Connell , P . P . S . G . W . Reo . LL .

Alabama ; B . W . D . Montgomery , P . P . S . G . W . ; H . R . Smyth , P . P . S . G . W . ; W . R . Kelly , P . P . S . G . W . ; J . Kirkwood , P . P . J . G . W . ( P . G . Treas .-elect ); T . M . Walters , P . P . S . G . W . ; J . Boyd , P . P . G . S . ; S . Mercer , P . P . G . I . G . ; William J . Rainey , P . P . J . G . W . ; J . M'Connell , P . P . G . S . ; R . Mirtin , P . P . S . G . D . ; H . Smyth , P . P . J . G . D . ; 1 . Rainey , P . P . J . G . D . ; Alexander Thompson , P . P . J . G . W . ; and Rev . R . Irvine , P . P . G . Chap .

The Provincial Grand Lodge of Antrim assembled as a stated communication at 7 . 30 p . m . in the Exhibition Hill , and , in the ante clumbers , shortly before eight o ' clock , a procession wis formed by Bro . Henry ] . Hill , Prov . G . D . of C , in the following order . Bro . H * nry Hayes , Prov . G . I . G . ( with drawn sword ); Past Provincial Grand Lodge Officers , according to their rank ; Bros . S . Leighton , Prov . G . Org . ; VV . T . Adgey ,

Prov . G . S . B . ; J . H . Gault , Prov . G . Supt . of Works ; H . Johnstone , Prov . J . G . D . ; R . J . Browne , Prov . S . G . D . ; Rev . H . D . Murphy , D . D ., and Rev . Canon Irvine , D . D ., Prov . G . Chaps , acting ; R . J . Hilton , Prov . G . Sec . ; W . Rankin , Prov . G . Treas . ; H . R . Smith , Prov . J . G . W . acting ; G . Andrews , Prov . S . G . W . ; John M'Connell , Representative of Grand Lodge of Alabama ; W . J . C . Crawley , Grand Secretary Grand Lodge of Instruction ; George Scriven , G . I . G . ; J . M . Lowry , G . Stwd . ; G . Drury , G . D . of C . ; W . Spence , G . Supt . of Works ; B . W . D . Montgomery ,