Provincial Grand Lodge Of Essex.

The accounts for the financial year , which had been previously audited by a sub-committee appointed for the purpose , were presented , and after payment of all outstanding claims , show a balance in hand of ^" 16 ^ os . ocl . on the general account , and £ 9 8 13 s . 6 d . on the charity account . The returns from the lodges show that during the year there have been 202 initiations , and 101 joining

THE NEW ORGAN ERECTED IN MEMORY OF THE LATE AV . BRO . CLAUDE E . EGEHTON-GREEN . members . The resignations have been 233 , and the losses by death forty-tAvo ; whilst 162 brethren have been struck off the books of their respective lodges , leaving the present strength of the province 2 995 members . The number of

, lodges on the roll has been increased to fifty-six by the consecration , on the 4 th of April last , of the Boadicea Lodge , No . 3147 . The Board recommend a donation of £ \ o 10 s . to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , and a like sum to

the Harwich Borough Nursing Institution . From the Charity Fund they recommend a donation of £ 10 10 s . to the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , and a like sum to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution . The Deputy Provincial Grand Master moved , and

W . Bro . J . Berry seconded , the adoption of the report , and this was agreed to . The Provincial Grand Master , addressing the brethren , said he was happy to be able to say that Masonry at present in his province required no remarks at all . It was going on

quietly and thoroughly well , and presented a healthy aspect , not only to him , but to those connected with Masonry . He Avas glad to tell them that those connected with Masonry looked with astonishment , and sometimes with envy , on the progress they were making , and the very healthy spirit there

Avas amongst them . Bro . Colonel Lockwood expressed regret at the absence of certain lodges . One of them had not put its trust in princes , but in something worse . He had no doubt that its representatives were IIOAV in the offing , not far away . Would that they Avere there , they very " offing "

said . He did not think the motor car could have been actuated by Masonic motives , or it would have arrived . He thanked the lodges for their hearty support , because it showed that he had the confidence of the brethren . So long as he had that , they might depend upon it that he would endeavour to forward the interests of Masonry in every possible way .

The banquet was held in a commodious marquee under the presidency of the Provincial Grand Master , luncheon being served to the lady visitors in a contiguous tent . Dinner over , a toast list was gone through with refreshing rapidity , the Provincial Grand Master being enabled to state at the close that they had polished off the lot in some eight minutes . Bvo . Colonel Lockwood gave the usual loyal and Masonic toasts .

That of "The Grand Officers" was responded to by W . Bro . P . Colville Smith ( Benevolent Institution ) . " The Health of the Provincial Grand Master" was proposed by the Deputy Provincial Grand Master , and Bro . Colonel Lockwood , in graceful fashion , returned the

compliment . The toast of " The Visitors" was acknowledged by the Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Suffolk - , and that of the Worshipful Masters of the lodges in Essex Province was responded to by W . Bro . Denny .

After the banquet , the guests were taken on the " Essex " for a trip up the Orwell as far as Pin Mill , Felixstowe , Parkeston Quay , and Harwich Harbour being afterwards visited . Tea was partaken of at Harwich , and the visitors returned home by boat and rail , a thoroughly enjoyable day

having been spent . During the afternoon and evening selections of music were admirably played by the Headquarters Band of the R . G . A . Volunteers , under the conductorship of Band-Sergeant J . Coombe .

Annual Excursion Of The Quatuor Coronati Lodge.

Annual Excursion of the Quatuor Coronati Lodge .

SHREWSBURY Avas this year selected for the summer meeting of the Quatuor Coronati Lodge . The visitors were drawn from all parts of the British Isles , and also from India , New Zealand , Australia , the Argentine , Rhodesia , Capetown , & c . In honour of the visit , a joint emergency

meeting of the two Shrewsbury lodges , Salopian Lodge , No . 262 and Salopian Lodge of Charity , No . 11 7 , was held in the Music Hall , with the R . W . Prov . G . M ., Sir Offey Wakeman , Bart ., presiding . The local brethren attended in good numbers to Avelcome their guests .

The R . W . Prov . G . M . said they Avere met together for a special purpose , viz ., to offer their hearty Avelcome to the members of the Lodge of Quatuor Coronati , who had come that day

into the town . The trumpet of fame had already informed them of the importance and attainments of that illustrious lodge , and he felt sure that every Shropshire Mason was gratified that their brethren of the Quatuor Coronati had thought fit to make their summer excursion among them on

that occasion . It might be from a touch of that Salopian pride AA'bich was supposed to be so characteristic , but he confessed it appeared to him that the choice of the brethren on that occasion had some justification , because he had always been of opinion that within easy reach ol Shrewsbury there

were objects of interest which must appeal to every man of taste , such as feAv countries could boast . WhateA * er their visiting brethren Avere interested in , they could gratify their