Untitled Article

the same haying been placed in his hands by the P . Prov . Treas ., Bro . William Ridge on his quitting Sussex many years ago , to whose high Masonic principles our G . L , is indebted for the recovery of the sum of ^ 4 0 . 4 s . 4 d ., standing in the Chichester Savings' Bank to the credit of our Prov . G . L . ; that amount Bro . W . Ridge has transferred to me as trustee , until you shall have this day elected a Treasurer , We have also regained the Prov . Grand Banner and Grand Deacon ' s Wand , which Bro . Butcher , W . M ., of the South Saxon Lodge , No . 390 , and his brethren ,

have carefully preserved ; our best thanks are due to them , for their promptitude in placing them at our disposal this day . I had hoped on this occasion to have had the honour and advantage of the assistance of Bro . Dobie , the R . W . G . M . for th e ^ Province of Surrey , and Grand Registrar of England , but I lament that the serious accident he met with in Switzerland prevents his attendance . Beyond the members of my mother Lodge , the Royal Clarence , I stand before you a stranger , sensible of the difficulties which beset my path , but desirous to the best of my ability , zealously and impartially to carry out the duties of my office . The firsi

step I have to take is , I fear , one that may lay me open to misconception and * an imputation of partiality , namely , the appointment of Officers , as I deem it prudent to surround myself with Brethren long known to me for their zeal , integrity , and experience in Masonry , who promise to aid me in my difficult undertaking , and to stand forward and bear the expenses attendant on their respective appointments , which , until I am better acquainted with my Brethren belonging to other Lodges , I feel a delicacy in calling upon them to sustain . But let us consider this year one of probation , in order that we may fairly redaunch our long-stranded

Institution , unruffled by waves of anger or envy , and united in the strongest bonds of brotherly love . These sentiments alone influence me in the appointments I shall presently make , which I am convinced will give general satisfaction , and as we progress in Masonic intercourse and become accustomed to G . L . regulations , I shall be better able , as vacancies occur , to select Brethren from other Lodges for appointment as Officers . I must be firm and straightforward in a strict line of

duty , determined to enforce conformity and obedience to the regulations of the G . L . of England , and to support and uphold the ancient landmarks of the Order . A code of by daws for our Prov . G . L . ( copies of which have been duly forwarded to the Lodges in the Province ) , will be presently submitted to your consideration / and if adopted , I would suggest that the date of contributions to the Prov . G . L . fund should commence from the 30 th day of June last . "

The P . G . D . M . then commanded the assistance of Bro . Folkard , P . M ., Bro . Vallance , P . M ., Bro . Turner , P . M ., Bro . G . W . King , P . M ., and Bro . Rev . E . H . JAoyd , to ( preliminarily ) open the Grand Lodge , which was done with solemn prayer . The D . G . M . then appointed and invested the following Brethren to their respect tive offices , viz . —

Bro . Vallance , G . S . W . ; Bro . Turner , G . J . W . ; Bro . the Rev . E . H . Lloyd , G . Chap . ; Bro . Polkard , G . Regis . ; Bro . Pocock , G . Sec . ; Bro . Wilkinson , G . S . D . ; Bro . Langtry , G . J . D ; Bro . Williams , G . Sup . of Works ; Bro . Smithers , G . D . C . ; Bro . McGee , G . A . D . C . ; Bro . W . A . Sfcuckey , G . Sword Bearer ; Bro . G . W . King , G . Pur ; Bros ; H . Yerrall , P . M ., W . Adams , P . M ., W . Batley , and G . F . Folkard , G . Stewards ; Bro . T . H . Barnard , G . Tyler .

The P . D . G . M . then called upon the Brethren members of the Grand Lodge to elect a Brother as Grand Treasurer by hallot , when Bro . Wm . Verrall , P . M ., was unanimosly approved and invested . The Grand Officers were saluted with the accustomed honours . The Grand Secretary for Surrey , Bro . J . J . Blake , and Past Grand Officers present , were then saluted with the accustomed honours .

The Grand Secretary was directed to read the returns and correspondence which he had received from the various Lodges in the Province , when he was ordered to place them in the hands of the G . Registrar . The Bydaws were agreed to and adopted . The D . P . G . M . announced his intention to hold the next annual Grand Lodge in September , under the auspices of the Derwent Lodge , No . 47 , at the Swan Hotel , in Hastings .