Consecration Of A Royal Arch Chapter At Portsmouth.

T G . Niven , 2 nd Assist . S . ; A . H . Hancox , Treas . ; W . Miles , Org . ; G ' A . Green , acting I . P . Z . ; E . S . Main , P . Z ., D . of C . ; W . Maybour and A . Grant , Stewards . After the chapter was closed , the companions adjourned to the banquetroom , the chair being occupied by Comp . E . Groves , H ., supported by the Grand Superintendent and the Provincial Grand Officers .

Comp . HICKMAN , P . G . H ., responded to the toast of " The Officers of the Grand Chapter , " and expressed the pleasure he had felt in seeing the chapter consecrated that day , and hoped that many warm friendships would be formed amongst those who had gathered around its standard ; and that it would tend to strengthen those ties of brotherly love which alread y existed among the companions .

Comp . G ROVES , H ., in proposing" The Health of the Prov . Grand Superintendent , " said that Comp . Beach was highly appreciated and honoured in every department of Masonry ; and the province felt proud to be presided over by so able and distinguished a member of the Order . Comp . B EACH , M . P ., Prov . G . Supt ., in responding , said it gave him great gratification to have performed the duty of constituting the new

chapter , and installing its Principals ; and one important element in that gratification was the conviction he had that the chapter would bc a successful one , and that it would conduce to the advancement of the best interests of Freemasonry . He should hesitate to give his assent to the formation of any new lodge or chapter unless he were convinced that it would be influential for good . He thought there might be a tendency in some cases to

overdo thc number ; and to ask for the establishment of new chapters for the sake of obtaining offices for the companions , without due regard to the question whether they could permanently be carried on with efficiency ; but he was satisfied ibis was not the motive of the founders of the chapter which had been constituted that day—on thc contrary , he believed they were actuated solely by a desire to extend the principles of R . A . Masonry

amongst those who otherwise might be deprived of the privilege . No doubt it frequently happened that members of a lodge were debarred from becoming R . A . Masons from the fact that no chapter was attached to their lodge , and he had frequently found that the establishment of such a chapter had very much conduced to the spread of the true principles of Freemasonry . He would impress upon them thc importance of not lightl y taking upon

them the duties of R . A . Masons , but steadily realising their importance and dignity . Only those who took a warm interest in Freemasonry could full y appreciate its merits or understand the great benefits it conferred on mankind . Those who entered the Order in a light and trifling way never got further than thc mere portals ; and he had found that those who had left it , and spoke of it in disparaging terms , really knew next to nothing about it ,

and it it were worth while there would bc no difficulty in refuting the ignorance and fallacy of their statements . But it was not worth while . ( App lause . ) Freemasons , as a rule , regarded the attacks made upon the Order with contempt , because they were conscious that it was founded on immutable principles , and knew the benefits it was conferring on mankind . ( App lause . ) It was always a great pleasure to him to be amongst the

brethren of his province , and it was a great pride to him to preside over the R . A . Masons of Hampshire , when he remembered that they comprised some of the most skilful and distinguished members to be found in the Order . Comp . J . RIDD HAYMAN proposed "The Grand Officers of the Provincial Grand Chapter , Present and Past ; " and Comp . VV . E . FROST , Prov , G . Treas ., responded .

Comp . MAIN , P . Z ., proposed "The Principals of the Landport Chap ter , " which was responded to by Comps . GROVE , Z . ; and GOOD , J . Comp . W . W . B . BEACH , M . P ., Prov . G . Supt ., proposed " The Repre sentatives of the Neighbouring Chapters , " coupling the name of Comp . J

G . Mason , 103 , South Africa , with the toast ; and referred to the heartiness and enthusiasm which characterised Freemasonry in the Colonies , and asked them to give their visitor such a welcome as would enable him to carry back a kindly remembrance of the reception he had met with at the hands of his companions in England .

Comp . M ASON , in acknowledgment , spoke of the kindness which he had received from his companions and brothers in Masonry in England , and said he should ever cherish , as one of his happiest memories , the welcome which had been given him that night in the Landport Chapter . The toasts of " The Officers " and " The Visitors " were the remaining toasts .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Northants And Hunts.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF NORTHANTS AND HUNTS .

This annual Provincial Grand Lodge meeting was held under the banner of the Lodge of Merit , 466 , at Stamford , on Thursday , the Sth inst . There was a good attendance of the brethren , upwards of 100 being present , amongst them being : Bros . Butler Wilkins , P . M . 360 , D . P . G . M ., who presided in the absence of the P . G . M ., His Grace the Duke of Manchester , ( who was unable to be present through being detained longer than was expected in Canada ); Jno . Marson , P . P . G . A . D . C .,

acted as D . P . G . M . ; Jas . Terry , S . G . W . ; Rev . F . G . Hodgson , 607 , J . G . W . ; Rev . W . E . Hall , 737 , Chap . ; Rev . T . C . Beasley , 1764 , Assist . Chap , j John Slinn , P . M . 737 , Registrar ; F . G . Buckle , P . M . 442 , Sec . ; W . Dixey , 442 , S . G . D . ; Jno . Bingley , W . M . 360 , J . G . D . ; J . C . Lound , 442 , Supt . of Works ; R . H . Griffin , P . M . 442 , D . C . ; Geo . Ellard , P . M . 3 C 0 , Assist . D . C . ; F . J . Sheppard , W . M . 445 , Registrar ; Jos . Ackroyd , 737 , Org . ; J . T . Roseblade , W . M . C 07 , Standard Bearer . Of the Merit Lodge , 46 G , Stamford : Herbert Hart , W . M . ; M . W . Packer

S . W . ; J . Bentham , J . W . ; J . M . Heward , P . M ., P . G . S . W . Treasurer ; T . Hare , Sec ; J . Beddeson , S . D . ; J . Etchells , J . D . ; J . C . Royce , I . G . ; E . I . Orford , P . M . ; Hy . Norton , P . M . ; Thos . Booth , P . M . ; Wm . Oldham , P . M . ; Wm . Ward , P . M . ; J . C . Duncombe , P . M . ; Hy . Knott , P . M . ; Chas . Roberts , J . H . Howard , Thos . Hart , S . C . Clark , F . Dickenson , ] . T . Duncan , F . L . Gooch , W . H . Watson , A . J . Moyes , Jos . Clifton , and J . H . Blackham . Of Pomfret Lodge , 3 60 , Northampton : Bros . Jno . Bingley , W . M . ; Geo . Ellard

I . P . M . ; John J . Hart , J . W . ; B . Wilkins , Treas . ; Jos . Sadler , J . D . j E . Haynes , and J . U . Stanton , Stewards ; M . A . Boeme , P . M . ; H . W . Parker , P . M . ; H . 'J . Atkins , E . Roberts , A . Cockerill , R . McCIure . Of the Socrates Lodge , 373 , Huntingdon : Bros . Wm . Wade , VV . M . ; John Marson , P . M . ; W . H . Smith , P . M ., P . P . G . R . ; Geo . Hawley , P . M ., P . G . R . ; J . Wood-Ingram , Jas . G . Hanken .

Of St . Peter ' s Lodge , 442 , Peterborough : Bros . J . C . Lound , W . M . ; H . Panic , I . P . M . ; J . W . Kirby , S . W . ; Stephen H . Bamber , S . D . ; T . \ V . Harrison l . G . ; F . G . Buckle , P . M . ; R . H . Griffin , P . M . ; W . Dixey , Sec ; J . T . Smith , Edward Crisp , R . Payling , E . Harrison , S . Willett , G . C . Caster , J . B . Tebbutt , H . j . Todd , Henry M . Pentney . Of the Lodge of Fidelity , 445 , Towcester , ' : Bros . F . J . Sheppard , W . M . ; H . H . Packer , J . W . ; Jas . Terry , P . M ., P . G . S . W . ; Rev . W . A . Howes , P . M ., P . P . G . C . ;

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Northants And Hunts.

? C , M-Percival , P . M ., P . P . G . J . D . ; H - M . Crowley , P . M . ; George Willcox-Smith , XV . B . Newton , Edward Snedker , R . McCIure . Of the Lodgeof Perseverance , 455 , Kettering : Bros . W . Hanger , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B . ; J . W . Parker . Of the Chicheley Lodge , 607 , Thrapston : Bros . J . T . Roseblade , W . M .: Rev .

F . G . Hodgson , P . M ., P . P . G . S . W . ; Rev . Rosco Hawthorne , P . M ., P . P . G . C . ; G . Wadesley . Of the Wentworth Lodge , 737 , Wellingborough : Bros . L . C . Knight , W . M . ; J . Slinn , I . PM . ; Rev . W . E . Hall , P . P . G . C ; J . Ackroyd , P . P . G . C . Of the Eleanor Cross Lodge , 17 ( 14 , Northampton : Bros . Henry Brown , W . M . ; H . J . Atkms , I . P . M ., P . P . G . J . D . ; Rev . A . H . Cole-Hamilton , P . G . C . ; Richd . Croft , J . C . Franklin .

Of the De-la-pre Lodge , 1 9 11 , Northampton : Bros . Rev . T . C . Beasley , S . W ., P . G . C . it > Visitors : Newbould , Dobie , Geo . Edwards , Caswell and others . The Board of Benevolence met at the George Hotel , at twelve o ' clock , when £ 21 was voted to the Widows' Fund , and £ 10 ios . to the Male ........ ^ j ~ - ....- .. _ -.... « .. _ . ....... ,, * . ^ w , 1 UIIU I tuiu £ n- > lus . LU Lilt ; nidiy

, Fund of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , and £ 10 ios . to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys . Two sums were also voted to brethren in the province . The Chanty Organisation Committee met immediately after , when , among other business , an addition was made lo the byelaws to facilitate the better working of the scheme .

lhe Provincial Grand Lodge was opened by the Dep . Prov . G . M ., Bro . Butler Wilkins , when , after some routine business , the DEPUTY PROV . G . M . spoke of the great loss the province had sustained by the death of Bro . Richard Howes , who had for some years occupied the post of Prov . G . Treasurer in such a manner as to place the funds of the province on a permanent basis , and to gain the esteem and respect of all with whom he became connected .

A resolution expressive of the sorrow of the brethren and of sympathy with Mrs . Howes was unanimousl y passed , and ordered to bc placed on the minutes of Provincial Grand Lod ge , and a copy thereof to bc sent to Mrs . Howes . Bro . J . U . Stanton , P . M . 360 , was proposed Prov . Grand 'Ireasurer , in the room of Bro . Howes , and was unanimousl y elected . The olher Provincial Grand Officers were then duly invested as under :

Bro . J . M . Heward , P . M . 466 ... ... ... prov . S . G . VV . „ H . Brown , VV . M . 176 4 ... ... ... Prov . J . G . W . „ Rev . T . C . Beasley , 1764 ... ... ... Prov . * G . Chap . „ A . H . Cole-Hamilton , 1911 ... ... ... Prov . G . A . Chap „ J . C . Lound , VV . M . 442 ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ F . G . Buckle , P . M . 442 ... ... .... Prov . G . Sec . „ W . Bushell Parke , 445 ... ... ... Prov . S . G . D . „ Luke Cartwri ght Knight , VV . M . 7-5 7 ... ... Prov . J . G . D . „ Jas . G . Hawkin , 373 ... " ... ... Prov . G . S . of W . „ R . H . Griffin , P . M . 443 ... ... ... pr 0 v . G . D . C . „ Geo . Ellard , P . M . 360 ... ... ... Prov . G . A . D . C . „ H . Howard Parker , 445 ... ... ... Prov . G . Swd . B . „ J . J . Hart , S . W . 3 60 ... ... ... Prov . G . Purst . „ Jas . Etchells , 466 ... ... ... ... prov . G . Org . „ M . VV . Packer , S . VV . 446 prov . G . Std . B . „ T . Cook , 442 ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler .

The following brethren were elected Prov . Grand Stewards ; Bros . A . Cockerill , 360 ; S . Willett , 442 ; Robert McCIure , 445 ; VV . H . Watson , 466 ; Richard Croft , 1 764 ; and Rev . A . H . Cole-Hamilton , 1911 . The banquet was served in an excellent manner by Bro . Moyes , host of the George Hotel , the banquet-room being very prettily decorated , and every arrangement made for the comfort of the brethren , about seventy of whom sat down .

The D . P . G . M . gave the usual loyal and Masonic toasts , which were dul y and enthusiastically honoured by the brethren . Bro . J . J . HART , W . M . 466 , in proposing " The Prov . G . M ., the Duke of Manchester , " and " The D . P . G . M ., Bro . Butler Wilkins , " expressed the regret they felt at not having his Grace amongst them , and spoke in very eulogistic terms at the good fortune they had to have so excellent and untiring a deputy to take his place in the absence of the P . G . M .

lhe D . P . G . M ., in responding , gave a good account , not only of the progress in the province as regards numbers , but also as to the excellent manner in which the work was done in every case , probably never better in the history of the province . Bro . M . VV . PACKER , S . VV . 466 , proposed " The Grand Officers of the Province , Present and Past , " which was responded to by Bros . J . M . Heward , P . G . S . W ., and J . U . Stanton , the newly-elected Treasurer .

Bro . H . J . ATKINS , P . M . 1764 , proposed "The Masonic Charities , " in a very appropriate manner . Bro . J AMES TERRY , P . G . D . C . Herts , Sec . to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , replied in his usual effective manner , thanking thebrethren of Northants and Hunts for the liberal manner in which they had always ported the Institution with which he was more immediately acquainted .

Bro . E . I . ORFORD gave "The Visiting Brethren , " expressing the pleasure it always gave the brethren of No . 466 to entertain visitors . Bro . S . NEWBOLD , from Australia , and Bro . CASWELL responded . The D . P . G . M . gave " Thc W . M . and Brethren of the various Lodges in the Province , " which was very ably responded to by Bro . HERBERT

I-TART , VV . M . 466 , who , in the course of his remarks , took the opportunity of thanking the D . P . G . M . for the kindness he had always shown to those brethren in the province who sought his advice , and also thanked the brethren for attending in such a goodly number to support the P . P . G . M . and the brethren of No . 466 .

Bro . H . PANK , P . M . 442 , gave "The Ladies , " in a very appropriate manner , to which Bro . J . T . ROSEBLADE , W . M . 607 , responded in a happy manner .

The Tyler ' s toast concluded the toast list . The harmony of the evening was considerably enhanced b y Bros . Atkins , Ingram , Oldham , Hart , Packer , Blackham , Heward , Roseblade , Clifton , Terry , G . Willcox-Smith , H . M . Crowley , and others ; Bros . Etchells and Croft rendering good service in accompanying .

1 he brethren ot No . 406 are to be congratulated , not only on the large number that attended ( Stamford being far from convenient for the majority of the brethren in the Province ) , but also upon the excellent airangements made for the comfort and convenience of the brethren . The lodge-room had been recently re-decorated , and presented a very nice appearance .

A small party remained until Friday and availed themselves of the opportunity ( under the guidance of the VV . M . ) of paying a visit to Burghley House , with which we need hardl y add they were very much pleased and interested . The Provincial Grand Lodge meeting for next year is arranged to take place under the banner of St . Peter ' s Lodge , No . 442 , at Peterborough .