The Provincial Grand Master Of Berkshire.

THE PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER OF BERKSHIRE .

A SPECIAL saloon train left Paddington at ro . 30 a . m . on Monday , Dec . 15 th inst ., containing a large number of brethren who intended taking part in the installation of H . R . H . the Duke of Clarence as P . G . M . of Berkshire . The train stopped at Slough , where it was

joined by their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales , the Duke of Clarence and Avondale , and the Duke of Connaught , accompanied by Colonel Egerton . The whole of the way from town was through a snow-covered country .

On the arrival at Reading , their Royal Highnesses -were welcomed by the Mayor and Corporation , and conducted to the carriages in waiting . A guard of honour , composed of the Reading contingent of the Berkshire Volunteers , was drawn up outside the station , while men from the same

regiment lined the route to the Town Hall , where the ceremony was to take place . The streets were throughout gaily decorated with flags and streamers , while large crowds were congregated at all points .

The Town Hall had been prepared as a Provincial Grand Lodge , The floor was reserved for Present and Past Officers of Provincial Grand Lodge , while the galleries were devoted to Master Masons . The dais was kept clear for the Grand Master and the Grand Officers , and during the period of

waiting voluntaries were played . At 12 . 30 , His Royal Highness the Grand Master , accompanied by the Grand Officers of the year , entered the lodge in procession , a fanfare from the trumpet and the applause

from those present being the only accompaniment to the slow march . On arriving at the throne , His Royal Highness was saluted according to ancient form " by nine . " An anthem was then sung , and , when concluded , His Royal Highness the Grand Master

said—We have assembled here to-day to install Plis Royal Highness the Duke of Clarence and Avondale as the Grand Master of the Masonic Province of Berks . This province was established nearly a century ago , and two years later the Provinceof Bucks , as a joint province , was founded . When , last year , Bro . Sir Daniel Gooch , the Grand Master of Berks and Bucks , died , it was wished to have two separate provinces .

I am glad to think that my eldest son will to-day become the Provincial Grand Master of Berks , and that for Bucks a well-worthy Grand Master will he found in my noble friend and brother , Lord Carrington , who has just returned to England , having been Governor of New South Wales for five years , and where he was Grand Master . One of the first Masonic ceremonies I took part in was 20 years ago , when I laid

the foundation-stone oflhe Grammar School of Reading in the presence of the Provincial Grand Lodge , and I need hardly say that it is of still greater interest to me to now install my own son as Provincial Grand Master of this province .

The Acting Inner Guard then announced that His Royal Highness the Duke of Clarence and Avondale , K . G ., the Grand Master designate of the province , was without , and sought admission , in order that he might be duly installed . The Grand Master directed that he should send in his

patent . Bro . I . Fenn , acting as Grand Director of Ceremonies in the absence of Bro . Sir Albert AVoods , then left the lodge , returning almost immediately with the patent , which was examined by the Grand Master , after which an escort of Past Masters was directed to conduct His Royal

Highness the Provincial Grand Master designate into the lodge . The young Prince was received with due honours , the patent was read , the Grand Chaplain offered prayer , and then , in clear tones , the Grand Master recited the obligation

of a Provincial Grand Master , which was repeated by the Duke of Clarence in a lower key . The young Prince then ascended the steps of the dais , when he was duly invested with the apron , chain , and jewel of his office . The Prince of Wales then took him by the

hand and placed him in the chair which he himself had previously occupied , taking himself the lower seat on the Duke of Clarence ' s left hand . The Provincial Grand Master being thus duly installed , was then proclaimed and duly saluted " bv seven . "

The Duke of Clarence then appointed the Provinciaj Grand Officers as follows : — Bro . J . T . Morland , 945 Prov . D . G . M . „ S . G . Kirchhoffcr , 1899 Prov . S . G . W .

„ J . T . Dodd , 414 Prov . J . G . W . ,, Rev . Canon Garry , 414 i .. A A -v . T ~ , , 00 . Prov . G . Chaps . „ Rev . A . A . N . Deacon , 1887 \ ' „ C . Stephens , 414 Prov . G . Treas . „ W . Boutcher , 2228 Prov . G . Reg . J . W . Martin , 414 Prov . G . Sec .

„ „ S . Knight , 574 Prov . S . G . D . „ G . Saxby , 945 Prov . J . G . D . „ C . B . Tubbs , 2043 Prov . G . S . of W . „ W . Hickie , 1101 Prov . G . D . C . „ W . G . Nottage , 771 Prov . A . G . D . C . ,, G . Milward , 1770 Prov . G . S . B .

" I 0 h "^ eenr ! f ' r 9 r S ' Prov . G . Std . Bvs . „ A . C . Hewett , 1566 ) ,, G . H . Stubington , 2043 Prov . Asst . G . Sec . „ W . Sevenoaks , 209 Prov . G . Purst . „ R . D . Wilder , 1887 Prov . A . G . Purst-„ R . L . Reed , 2043 Prov . G . Org .

,, B . W . Bennett , 2043 \ „ R . J . Ball , 20 9 ) ,, C . D . Adkin , 945 I __ _ „ , u' T - A f > 11 o VProv . G . Stwds . ,, Major E . A . Ball , 18 99 f ,, Charles Dearing , 795 | „ J . T . Champion , 1887 /

„ W . Hemming ? , 1110 Prov . G . Tyler . Subsequently the newly-installed Provincial Grand Master presided at a banquet , which was given in the Jubilee Hall , lent by Messrs . Sutton & Sons , who had

beautifully decorated the building and its approaches with palms , ferns , cyclamens , primulas , tulips , hyacinths , and a wealth of other flowers which may have caused a

momentary forgetfulncss of the wintry weather prevailing outside . After the luncheon , The Duke of Clarence and Avondale gave the toast of " The Queen and the Craft , " which was enthusiastically received . The Duke of Connaught , on rising to propose the next toast , was

loudly cheered . He said : I have been asked to propose a toast which I am sure will meet with a very warm reception from all brethren here present . It is " The Health of His Royal Highness the Prince of AVales . " ( Cheers . ) Brethren , I am sure that I shall only be expressing the opinion of all of us when I assure His Royal Highness that we appreciate most highly his coming amongst us on this interesting occasion .

( Cheers . ) We are well aware of the many and onerous duties that are required of him ; therefore , we all the more appreciate it when lie comes amongst us as he has done to-day . It has been an occasion of great interest to us all , and especially to myself , as representing another province , and also a distant district in the empire—I refer to Bombay . ( Hear , hear . ) It has been an especial pleasure to me to

have been present to see His Royal Highness install my nephew , the Duke of Clarence and Avondale . I am sure that our Grand Master has made a most excellent choice in the appointment which lie has just made . ( Hear , hear . ) His first object , as you know , is ( o promote the interests of the Craft . We have seen the great development of Freemasonry since His Royal Highness has been at our head , and we thank

him most warmly for ( lie admirable manner in which lie conducts everything for the good of the Craft . ( Cheers . ) I hope he will allow me on this , the first public function I have been present at since the high honour was conferred upon me of giving me the rank of Past Grand Master of England , to say that it is an honour that I appreciate most highly , and that I thank him for having given me a distinction