The Craft In Suffolk.

THE CRAFT IN SUFFOLK .

Our brethren in Suffolk have had a most successful year , and therefore the rejoicing which was so conspicuous a feature at the annual meeting of their Provincial Grand Lodge at Bury St . Edmunds on the 18 th ult . under the banner ot the Royal St . Edmunds Lodge , No . 1008 , and the presidency of Lord

HENNIKER , P . G . M ., is not to be wondered at . As we pointed out in our analysis of the Boys' School Festival Returns , the Province has contributed upwards of £ 600 amongst our Charitable Institutions during the present year , and that , too , after a succession of three heavy years in which the amount obtained

from the same source amounted to close on £ 2950 . Then it was announced that a petition for a new lodge to be located at Felixstowe had been sent in , an announcement which was greeted with all the more enthusiasm from the fact that eight years have elapsed since the present junior lodge on the Provincial roll was

consecrated . In other respects also the Province appears to have substantially improved its position . The number of its subscribing members is in excess of 900 , showing an advance ot nearly 40 brethren as compared with the previous year , while as regards the sinews necessary to carry on the peaceful pursuits

of Masonry , the Treasurer was in a position to report the existence of a handsome balance on the right side of his account , and likewise considerably in excess of the balance stated in his previous year's report . These facts , which redound so largely to the credit of the lodges and brethren in Suffolk , very naturally created

a large amount of satisfaction , nor is it possible for us to notice them without tendering to the Province our most hearty congratulations , both on its present prosperous condition and the equal or even greater measure of prosperity which apparently awaits it in the future . There was also one very sound practical

recommendation by the Committee of the Suffolk Masonic Charity Association to which , in these days of keen competition for places among the successful candidates at our annual elections , deserves especial prominence . It was pointed out that when a lodge voted five guineas from its funds towards the

Benevolent Institution it only secured a vote for 15 years , and that if it were not supplemented by a further five guineas within two years , the privilege expired on the completion of the period arranged . As regards the Schools also , it was shown that a donation of five guineas secured no vote whatever ,

while one of twice that amount would secure one vote in perpetuity at every election . These are points that are worthy of consideration , not only by Suffolk , but by all lodges throughout the country . It often happens that a lodge makes a donation

annually of five guineas , which is effective for voting purposes during the year in which it is given , but useless afterwards , whereas 10 guineas given in alternate years secure a vote for ever . However , the matter is so clear that we need not discuss it further . All we need add is that a Province whose

interests are sowell'looked after by its Provincial Grand Master and his officers , as well as by the Committee of its Charitable Association , deserves , as it is evident that in this particular

instance it has experienced , a measure of prosperity that is full and overflowing . May our reports from Suffolk be always as bright and cheerful as the one we have so much pleasure in recording in another part of our columns !

The Province Of Somersetshire And Its Late Prov. G.M.

THE PROVINCE OF SOMERSETSHIRE AND ITS LATE PROV . G . M .

There was a numerous attendance at the Special Provincial Grand Lodge of Somersetshire , which was held in the Town Hall , Highbridge , on the 15 th ult ., under the presidency of Bro . R . C . ELSE , Past GD . of England and Deputy P . G . M ., while the

emblems of mourning which were visible in all parts of the lodge room were as the outward and visible sign of the deep grief which pervaded the minds of all present . No ordinary business was appointed to be done , the Provincial Grand Lodge having been specially summoned for the sole purpose of expressing and

The Province Of Somersetshire And Its Late Prov. G.M.

recording in appropriate language the sincere sympathy of the brethren of Somersetshire with the widowed Countess of CARNARVON and the children of her late husband in the recent terrible

bereavement with which it has pleased the Great Architect of the Universe to visit them . The grief of the Craft generally at the death of so distinguished and courteous a Mason as the late PRO GRAND MASTER OF ENGLAND has found free and full

expression in all parts of the country , nor in all probability has there been held , since his lordship ' s death became known , a single Masonic meeting at which the great loss thereby sustained by English Freemasonry has not been more or less pointedly referred to . But in Somersetshire , in the province over which

his lordship had presided for the last 2 t years with so much urbanity and kindness , in whose welfare he had taken so deep an interest , and for whose benefit he had laboured so assiduously and successfully , it is no more than natural that , as the blow has been felt more severely and immediately , so

should the grief for its occurrence be the more poignant . Others may have known his lordship through being officially associated with him in Masonic duty , or from listening to his eloquent speeches in Grand Lodge , and witnessing the ability with which he presided in that assembly . But our Somersetshire brethren

were still more intimately bound to him . They regarded him not merely as their ruler , but even as one of themselves , as one who took a deep and kindly interest in the success and prosperity of their lodges , and who never lost an opportunity of promoting that success and prosperity . Thus , by his lordship ' s

death they have lost not only a respected chief , but likewise their truest and best friend , in whose unvarying kindness they had the most implicit confidence ; and we may be sure their sorrow is commensurate with their loss , and that the memory of him who is gone from their midst will be affectionately cherished

and respected while there is a single lodge and even but a single brother in the Province to cherish and respect it . This , indeed , was well exemplified at the recent special meeting of their Provincial Grand Lodge . Bro . ELSE , Dep . Prov . G . M ., who presided and proposed the resolution of

condolence with the widow and children of the late Earl , was eloquent , but not more eloquent than just , in his tribute of praise to one who had distinguished himself so highly as a Statesman , in literature , and in Freemasonry , and who , above all things , had shown in all the various parts he had played that he was the

very beau ideal of a courteous English gentleman . Bro . STOTHERT ' s address , which , in consequence of a passing infirmity of speech , was read for him by a brother present , was equally appreciative , while the few words added by Bro . E . WHITE , who had witnessed his lordship ' s initiation in the

Westminster and Keystone Lodge in February , 18 5 6 , were equally emphatic and to the purpose . It is indeed impossible that more fitting testimony could have been borne to any man of equal or

even of greater distinction , and we sincerely congratulate our Somersetshire brethren on having acquitted themselves so gracefully and , at the same time , so feelingly , in the performance of a most mournful duty . 4 .

District Grand Lodge Of Bombay.

DISTRICT GRAND LODGE OF BOMBAY .

The Report of the Proceedings at the Fifty-seventh Halfyearly Communication of the District Grand Lodge of Bombav on the 31 st March last demonstrates clearly enough that during the period H . R . H . the Duke of CONNAUGHT was activel y engaged in the performance of his duties as District Grand

Master , the Craft made very considerable progress , and thereby materially strengthened a position which was also alread y strong . It is well known that his Royal Highness evinced a deep interest in the lodges in this district , and that whenever the

exigencies of military duty permitted , he was both read y and anxious to do all in his power to promote the welfare of the Craft generally . The result of his efforts will be apparent to those who read this Report . Thus the District Grand Treasurer ' s accounts show that at the close of the year ended 31 st December ,