Provincial Lodges.

the Hall , to the churchwardens of St . James's for the use of the church and to the organist and choir for their efficient services . The Lodge was then closed in due form . The brethren to the number of nearly eighty , shortly after re-assembled at the Antelope Inn , where a most excellent dinner was laid before them by Br . Knight . The Right Worshipful P . G . M . presided , supported by the D . P . G . M . and principal past and present Grand Officers of the province . The Vice-chair was ably occupied

by Br . Stone , Grand S . W . and W . M . of the Poole Lodge . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts having been disposed of , the D . P . G . M . Br . Hare , rose , and having the permission of Right Worshipful P . G . M ., begged to propose a toast ; it was one he was sure the brethren would hail with pleasure—the respect they entertained for the individual being heightened by the office which he held—that of Provincial Grand Master of the county of Dorset ( cheers ); and he would here remarkthat it had leased Providence to afflict him with severe illness

, p during the past year , and that that affliction had prevented his carrying out his intention of visiting the Lodges in the province in his official capacity . He was past G . W . of the Grand Lodge of England , which appointment showed the respect he was held in by the Earl of Zetland , and was a proof of his high Masonic attainments . As Grand Secretary of the province , he ( Br . Hare ) had had the honour of being in constant communication with him , and he could say that upon all occasions his correspondence had received from him the most prompt attention . In his present state oi his health ,

therefore , he deserved the thanks of the province for his attendance in the Grand Lodge that day . Brother Willett thanked the brethren for the kind way in whicli his name had been received , and said he could assure them , that notwithstanding he had lately suffered much from a severe rheumatic affliction , yet he had looked forward to that day with the highest expectation , and by the blessing of the G . A . U . he had been enabled to attend —indeed every mile that he journeyed seemed to increase his animal spirits and infuse new vigour into him , and it was truly one of the happiest days of his life . If his health

was still spared , he would use his best efforts and do everything on his part to advance the interests of Masonry in the province . The Chairman then called upon the brethren to charge , as he was about to propose the health of a most excellent , worthy , ancl experienced Mason , who had done him the honour to accept the office of Deputy Provincial Grand Master , and from whose extensive Masonic knowledge , as well as zeal , and earnest and effective efforts for the welfare of the Craft in general , he anticipated the greatest benefit . He called upon

them to drink the health of the D . P . G . M . Br . Hare . Br . Hare returned thanks for the honour" clone him , and he begged most sincerely to thank the officers of the P . G . Lodge and the brethren collectively and individually for the kind way in which he had been received by them that day . He would repeat what he hacl said in an earlier part of the day ' s proceedings , that he had served an apprenticeship , as it were , by the office he had held of P . G . Secretary , and during the period he had so held office he could not but become

acquainted with the wants and requirements , and workings of the various Lodges in the province better than most others . He did not undertake the office , however , till after due consideration , and his humble abilities would be used untiringly for the benefit of Masonry , and of this province of Dorset in particular . He would beg to remark that , as the Rev . W . P . G . Master was not so well able to attend to written communications as himself , he would request that all matters connected with the province should be communicated to him , and he would submit them to the

proper authority . He respectfully invited the co-operation of the W . M . ' s of the various Lodges , and their assistance in performing the duties connected with his office ; and would further address himself to the Masters , and say , that he intended to visit each and every of the Lodges in the Province , and trusted to be received in these visits in the same kind and friendly and fraternal manner he had been received in , and for which he again thanked them . The Chairman next proposed the health of the P . G . Chaplain , the Rev . Br . Maturin .