Provincial Grand Lodge Of Shropshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF SHROPSHIRE .

On Thursday , the 23 rd ultimo , the annual meeting of the above Prov . Grand Lodge was held at the Town Hall , Ellesmere , under the pesidency of the Prov . Grand Master , Bro . Sir Offley Wakeman , Bart . The Prov . Grand Lodge was opened , and the Prov . Grand Master and the Dep . Prov . Grand Master , Bro . Rowland George Venables , P . A . G . D . C , were saluted with customary honours ; Bros . W . H . Spaull , P . A . G . D . C , and Captain G . Williams Freeman , P . G . W . Egypt , were also saluted .

The minutes of the Prov . Grand Lodge held at Bridgnorth on the 26 th July , 1895 , were read and signed . The names of the Prov . Grand Officers and the roll of lodges were called ; the number of members present was 63 , there being three lodges unrepresented . The accounts of the Prov . Grand Lodge , [ showing the satisfactory balance at the end of 1895 of /? 74 7 s . id ., were approved , and Bro . J . H .

Cooksey was again unanimously elected Prov . Grand Treasurer . The Prov . Grand Master then appointed and invested the following brethren as his officers for the ensuing year : Bro . H . R . Giles , 21 3 , ... ... ... Prov . S . G . W . A . Orahnm ofo ... Prov . T . G . W .

" § " " •t K ;^" thwell V 2131 (^ -appointed ) ... } p G < ch ,, Rev . J . L . Williams , 1621 ... ... j r „ J . H . Cooksey , 1621 ( re-elected ) ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ W . Calwell , 6 ai ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ W . H . Spaull , 1124 ( re-appointed ) ... Prov . G . Sec .

„ A . Joyce , 23 ii ... ... ... Prov . S . G . D . „ W . Rhodes , 1621 ... ... ... Prov . J . G . D . „ W . H . Packer , 1120 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . of Wks . „ W . Baxter , 117 ( re-appointed ) ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ H . F . Newman , 117 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C ,, J . Ashmore , 1896 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B .

» A-Lacey , 6 ii | Prov . G . Std . Brs . „ B . S . Hawthorn , 1 575 ... ... ... j „ H . H . Sims , 1432 ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ T . Owen , 143 2 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Sec . ,, A . Minshall , 2131 ... ... ... Prov . G . Purst . „ W . J . Massey , 1896 ... ... ... Ptov . A . G . Purst . „ W . C . C Peele , 262 ... ... ... ") „ W . C . Joyce , 117 ... ... ... I

„ R . DeCourcey Peele , 611 ... - L Prov "G Stwds „ Lieut .-Col . J . M . Maltby , 112 4 ... }¦ Prov . J-.. itwds . „ T . T . Chubb , 2 3 „ W . Bullock , 601 ... ... ... j „ H . Goodall , 1621 ( re-appointed ) ... ... Prov . G . Tyler . „ R . G . Venables , 611 ( re-appointed ) ¦¦•{ i 3 „ r \ AW „* ,, W . Baxter , 117 ( re-appoin ted ) ... ^ J Prov . G . Auditors .

The D . P . G . M ., P . G . Treas ., P . G . Reg ., P . G . Sec , and the members of the Provincial Board , Bros . A . S . Townsend , 117 ( re-appointed ); T . J . Salwey , 611 ( re-appointed ); G . I . Muirhead , 1896 ( re-appointed ) j A . Joyce , 2311 ( re-appointed ); A . Graham , 262 ; and H . F .

Newman—Auditors of Minutes and other lodge books . •The reports from the Head Master of the Boys' and from the Head Mistress of the Girls' Schools as to the conduct of the eight children from Shropshire now in the two Institutions were read , and the record of progress considered satisfactory .

Bro . W . H . Spaull was again unanimously nominated for ' the election on the Board of Management of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys . A vote of thanks was accorded to the members of the Calendar Committee—Bros . Venables , Crump , Cooksey , Giles , and Townsend , these were

re-appointed , with the addition of Bros . Graham and Newman as the Committee for the ensuing year . The DEPUTY PROV . GRAND MASTER reported that in th ; year 1 S 95 there had been throughout the province 26 initiations and 10 joining members , the total number of subscribing members being 354 .

The tenth annual report of the Shropshire Masonic Charitable Association showed that a sum of ^ 375 18 s . had been sent to the three London Institutions in 1895 , making a total of £ 3374 3 s . 6 d . remitted in the 10 years . The Provincial Fund showed a subscription of £ 49 7 s ., as against ^ 52 18 s . in the previous year . The P . G RAND M ASTER expressed the hope that the subscriptions would be increased , and particularly directed that the attention of the Charity Representatives of lodges to the fact that , only 139 brethren were subscribers to the London Institutions .

A circular-letter from Bro . Terry , Secretary to the Benevolent Institution , was read , intimating that at a meeting of the Governors , on the 28 th inst ., a proposition would be made to amend Law 18 so that in future , instead of the votes for lodges and chapters being sent to the Worshipful Masters or First Principals , the total for the several provinces would be sent for the signature of the Provincial Grand Masters and Grand Superintendents .

It was resolved that Bro . R . G . Venables , D . P . G . M ., be requested to attend the meeting and object on behalf of that province to the proposed alteration , unless some satisfactory arrangement be made with regard to the votes of chapters which a-e not affiliated 10 any Provincial Grand Chapter . The PROV . GRAND MASTER made reference to the reports of the Auditors of minutes and other lodge books , those for Shrewsbury , 262 and 117 ,

Bridgnorth , No . 1621 , and Newport , No . 1 S 96 , were satisfactory , but other lodges had not been so careful ; he particularly required the records as to openings and closings in the various Degrees to be distinctly made , and also that the returns made to Provincial Grand Lodge be identical with the lodge books . The Prov . Grand Master intimated that the next meeting would be held at Market Drayton on a date to be hereafter fixed .

The Provincial Grand Lodge was then closed , and the brethren subsequently assembled to luncheon at the Bridgwater Hotel . The PROV . GRAND MASTER , in replying to the toast of , his health , thanked the brethren very sincerely for their cordial reception in the first

lodge consecrated by him , he had every reason to be proud of the province , he felt sure that no where could a Provincial Grand Master rely upon greater zeal and ab 1 ty tfan was evinced by the Shropshire Masons , and , in his officers , he had brethren to whom he was indebted for their great interest in the Charity organisation , the careful attention to details in auditing the

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Shropshire.

books of bdges and the compilation of the calendar , which was now established and a success ; he was pleased to see the number of brethren attending that day and recognised the exceptional difficulties as to travelling from towns so widely separted as those in Shropshire . It was announced during the afternoon that Mr . Brownlow Towers and

Mr . Mainwanng , of Oeley , had each kindly given permission for their gardens and greenhouses to be open to the brethren , a privilege of which many gladly availed themselves . By the kindness also of B-o . Glasson , others were enabled to enjoy the game of bowls on the notedly charming green .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Suffolk.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF SUFFOLK .

The above Provincial Grand Lodge was held at the Royal Hotel , Lowestoft , on Monday , the 20 th ult ., under the banners of Unity Lodge , No . 71 , and St . Margaret ' s Lodge , No . 1452 . The Prov . Grand Master , Bro . Lord Henniker , presided , and the officers and brethren present included Bros . Rev . C . J . Martyn , Deputy Prov . G . M . ; Pryce Morris , P . G . W . ; H . C Monteith , P . J . G . W . j Cyril C . Tuck , P . J . G . D . ; Mitchell Read , P . G . P . ; W . W .

Walesby , P . P . G . S . of W . ; A . R . Trew , P . P . J . G . D . ; C . H . Downes , P . P . G . R . ; Thomas Hodgson , P . P . G . Treas . ; C . G . Hayward , P . P . G . R . ; F . C . Kerry , P . A . G . D . C ; W . Balls , P . A . G . P . ; C . Trevelyan Winson , P . G . S . of W . Wilts ; J . Talbot , P . P . G . S . B . ; J . Tennant , P . P . G . S . of W . ; J . Taylor , S . G . D . ; L . J . Woodard , P . P . S . G . D . ; Alfred Spalding , P . A . G . Sec . ; W . H . Hall , P . P . J . G . W . ; Hugh W . H . Elwes , P . P . J . G . W . ; W . B . Hanson , P . P . J . G . D . ; Walter Cocks ,

P . P . J . G . D . ; W . Kemp , P . G . Stwd . ; R . Barker , P . P . A . G . D . C . ; C . S . Pedgrift , P . P . G . R . ; R . Titlow , P . P . A . G . D . C . ; S . R . Anness , P . P . G . S . of W . ; Harry Cockrill , P . G . S . of W . ; B . S . Bradbeer , P . P . G . S . B . ; Arthur R . ) Scott , P . P . S . G . D . ; J . Nobbs , P . P . G . S ., and P . G . Std . Br . ; T . W . Read , P . P . G . S . of W . ; J . B . Marchant , P . P . G . P . ; J . M . Franks , P . P . J . G . D ., P . G . D . C ; John M , Canova , P . P . S . G . W . ; A . E . Smith , P . P . J . G . D . ; C . White , ' . P . G . Std . Br ..

Harris Hills , P . P . J . G . W . Essex ; C . E . Barnes , P . P . G . Chap . ; J . Oakley Green , P . G . Stwd . ; H . J . Eastaugh , P . P . G . D . ; E . N . Adams , P . P . G . S . B . ; J . Blunderfield , P . P . G . P . Norfolk , P . P . G . Stwd . Suffolk ; J . M . Harvey , P . P . G . S . of W . ; Fred . Wheeler , P . P . G . R . ; George S . Elliston , P . G . T . ; W . J . Roberts , P . P . G . S . of W . ; P . W . Wright , P . G . S . B . ; J . Napier , P . P . J . G . D , ; A . W . Cook P . P . G . P . ; A . Caton , P . P . G . S . B . ; R . C . Mayhew , P . G . S . ; H . Vincent

P . P . G . R . ; J . H . Gray , D . P . G . M . Cambridge ; W . Minter , P . P . G . S . B . ; W . J . Wilton , P . P . G . S . of W . ; John J . Russel , P . P . G . S . B . ; W . Maddison , P . P . G . S . B . ; Frank S . Ellen , P . P . G . R . ; B . W . Syer , P . G . T . ; J . Bunn , P . P . A . G . D . C . Norfolk j J . Terry , P . G . S . B . England , Sec . R . M . B . I . ; A . F . Penraven , P . P . G . S . ; J . M . McLeod , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . I , for Boys ; H . Harvey George , P . P . J . G . W . Norfolk ; " Thomas J . Railing , P . A . G . D . C , Prov . G . Sec . Essex ; and many others .

Letters of apology for inability to attend were received from Bros . Hamon Le Strange , D . P . G . M . Norfolk ; his Honour Judge Philbrick , Q . C ., D . P . G . M . Essex ; O . Papworth , P . G . Sec . Cambridgeshire ; C . H . Youngman , P . G . O . ; J . M . Canova , F . R . W . Hedges , Sec . R . M . I . G . ; J . Manners Smith , P . G . C . ; and others .

The P . G . M ., accompanied by Grand and Prov . Grand Officers , having entered the hall in procession , the Provincial Grand Lodge was opened in due form . The roll of Prov . Grand Officers and the roll of the lodges were called

over . The Provincial Grand Master appointed and invested _ his officers as follows : Bro . W . G . Everett , P . M . 71 ... ... Prov . S . G . W . „ J . P . Smith , P . M . 1452 ... ... Prov . J . G . W . „ Rev . R . A . Bosanquet , 81 ... ... ) n „ „ ru ™* „ Rev . L . G . Pollard , 1631 j Prov . G . Chaps . „ Elmy , P . M . 19 S 3 ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ R . C . Mayhew , P . M . 936 ... ... Prov . G . Reg .

„ N . Tracy , P . M . 376 , P . P . J . G . W .... ... Prov . G . Sec . „ J . King , P . M . 322 ... ... ... Prov . S . G . D . „ W . H . Mann , P . M . 929 ... ... Prov . J . G . D . „ T . A . Woodroffe , P . M . 305 ... ... Prov . G . S . of W . „ J . Maurice Franks , P . M . 37 6 ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ A . F . Penraven , P . M . 114 ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C .

„ G . J . B . Winder , P . M . 1008 ... ... Prov . G . S . B . „ W . Cattermole , P . M 516 ... •••' rp , „„ r C . J Rrc ! , W . M . Cuckow , P . M . 2371 j Prov . G . Std . Brs . „ R . J . Pitcher , Org . 1452 ... ... Prov . G . Org .

„ Alired Spalding , P . M .. 376 ... ... Prov . A . G . Sec . „ W . Balls , P . M . 555 ... ... ... Piov . G . Purst . „ W . Kemp , P . M . 959 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Purst . „ F . Spashett , P . M . 71 ... ... ... y

„ T . W . Ward , P . M . 1452 ... ... [ Prov . G . Stwds . „ J . H . Blackburn , P . M . 71 ... ... ; In commemoration of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales ' s , M . W . G . M ., 21 st year of office , the following past rank was conferred : Bros . W . J . Wilton ,

P . M . 71 , P . P . S . G . W ., and J . George . P . M . 1224 , P . P . S . G . D . The report of the Board of General Purposes , which was submitted and adopted , referred to the continued progress of the Order in the province , as , with the exception of two lodges , there had been additions by initiations or joinings . There had been 52 initiations , 23 joinings , against losses by resignations 34 , deaths nine , exclusions 13 , making a gain of 19 . The

number of arrears was 81 . The financial state was not quite so satisfactory , there having been a payment of 20 guineas for grants in aid , but there was a balance , after payment of liabilities of ^ 66 5 s . 6 d . ; and as the fees 01 honour would be shortly placed to the credit of the province , the Board recommended that £ 10 ios . be paid to a brother , and the usual grants of £ 2 \ to the Benevolent Institution , and ^ 10 ios . each to the Boys' and Girls Schools .

The report of the Suffolk Masonic Charity Association , which was also adopted , stated that at the Festival of the Royal Masonic Banevolent Ins ' * tution held in Frebuary last , there were three Stewards whoseliits amounted t 0 ^ 157 17 s ., viz ., Lodge 114 ( British Union ) , Bros . F . Percy Wainwrigh ' and O . Turner , £ 115 ; Lodge 959 ( Prince of Wales ) , Bro . A . R . Tr < ' £ 42 . At the Festival of the Institution for Girls in May last , the lists 01 two Stewards amounted to - £ 121 lCs ,, viz ¦ Lodge 1224 ( Stour Valley ) , ^