Provincial.

PROVINCIAL . r »

LODGE OF FAITH , No . 581 . THE regular meeting was held at the Bradford Hotel , Mill Street , Manchester , on Wednesday , 17 th ult ., when , Brother Dr . Edwin Evanson Jones Worshipful Master having been called away on professional business , the principal chair was occupied by Bro . Chas . H . Griffiths I . P . M . After the reading and confirmation of minutes , successful ballots were

taken for Messrs . John Evans , Telegraph Clerk , Fairfield ; George Mellor , Musician , Openshaw ; and John Thomas Dobson , Foreman Engineer , Openshaw , who were afterwards initiated into Ancient Freemasonry by Bros . John Greenup P . M . D . C ., C . H . Griffiths I . P . M ., and F . R . Radcli ' ffe Secretary P . M . 757 , the working tools and charge being in the capable hands of Bro . Matthew Goth J . W .

At the festive board which followed , Loyal and Masonic toasts were pleasantly interspersed with songs , recitations , & c , the contributaries being Bros . M . Goth J . W ., Geo . Ogden J . D ., Chas . A . Toyn , Arthur Mellor , and Edwd . Roberts P . M . Prov . G . Tlr . Bro . Griffiths , after paying a very handsome tribute to the absent Master , proposed the health of the candidates , who responded .

The health of the I . P . M . was proposed by Bro . Greenup , that of the Visitors by Bro . G . H . Barnes P . M ., and that of the Past Masters by Bro . Chadderton . Bro . W . M . B . Boyd 1160 responded on behalf of the Visitors , among whom were Bros . W . Whyte McLeod P . M . 1166 P . P . G . Supt . of Works P . P . G . A . D . C ., H . G . Walker P . M . 2185 , and T . Hatley Boyd 144 ( United Grand Lodge New South Wales ) .

OAKWOOD LODGE , No . 1126 . ON the 20 th ult ., at the Sale Hotel , Sale , Bros . T . H . Margison W . M ., Jas . Rosser S . W ., Thos . M . Draper P . G . Std . J . W ., W . H . Roos Treas ., G . J . Hufton Sec . The meeting being the St . John ' s Festival , the Brethren assembled at

three o ' clock p . m ., and tho Lodge being duly opened they prepared to instal Bro . Jas . Rosser S . W . W . M .-eloct . Bro . John Brine P . M . P . P . G . P . Director of Ceremonies acted as Installing Master , and was assisted by the Past Masters , several Provincial Officers , and Bro . W . M . Varley P . M . Horwich Lodge , No . 2324 .

After the installation Bro . Jas . Rosser W . M . invested his Officers : Bros . T . H . Margison I . P . M ., T . M . Draper P . G . Std . S . W ., E . J . Greenhalgh J . W ., W . H . Roos Treas ., G . J . Hufton Sec , John Brine P . M . P . P . G . P . D . C ., R . Paterson S . D ., J . Bortenshaw J . D ., J . A . Bennett I . G ., S . J . Bruford , G . A . Sainsbury and C . Unsworfch Stewards , John Clarke Tyler .

After the Officers had been invested hearty good wishes were expressed by a number of visitors present , including Richard Newhouse P . M . P . G . S . B , Prov . Grand Sec , Fredk . Broadsmith P . M . P . P . S . G . W . W . M . Assheton Egerton Lodge , and Buckley Carr P . M . P . P . G . D . C . E . Lane . Bro . Thos . Walker P . M . P . P . G . P . C . R . proposed , and Bro . G . J . Hufton Sec . seconded Bro . J . W . Taylor P . M . of the Townley Parker Lodge as a joining member . The Lodge was then closed in the usual form .

The Brethren adjourned to the dining hall , where a sumptous banquet had been prepared by Bro . Frost . Afterwards the Brethren joined the festive board , where the usual toasts were given , and songs were rendered during the evening by Bros . Draper , Greenhalgh , and Hufton . Bro . C . Thompson of the Wolsley Lodge acted as Organist , and performed his part in his usual brilliant style . As the evening advanced , and most of the Brethren had to leave by train , the whole of the programme could not be gone through .

During the evening the Brethren expressed their appreciation of the creditablo manner in which the ceremonies had been performed by Bros . John Brine , Hy . Greenhalgh , H . White , and W . H . Roos Past Masters . Bro . Thos . Walker P . M . P . P . G . P . C . R ., on behalf of the Lodge , presented Bra . T . H . Margison l . P . M . with a Past Master's Jewel as a reward for the services rendered by him during his year of Office . The proceedings were brought to a close at ten o ' clock .

NORMAN LODGE , No . 1334 . AT a meeting held in the Masonic Hall , Old Elvet , Durham , on Wednesday , 10 th ult ., Bro . T . J . R . Hindmarsh S . W . was duly installed Worshipful Master lor the ensuing year , the ceremony of installation being performed by Bro . Col . Rowlandson P . M . P . P . J . G . W ., and Bro . J . F . Hiller P . M . P . P . G . O . After tbe ceremony of installation the W . M . appointed and invested his Officers .

At the conclusion of the ceremony of installation and after other Masonic business , the Brethren celebrated the annual Festival of St . John the Evangelist . The proceedings throughout were of a most successful , satisfactory and enjoyable character .

CONCORD LODGE , No . 1534 . A T the regular meeting , which took place at Prestwich , on Thursday , 18 th Jr \_ ult ., the principal business was that of raising Bro . William Scholfield to the sublime degree of M . M . The ceremony was performed by Bro . Jas . Kershaw W . M ., assisted by Bros . Geo . W . Nield S . W ., who gave the traditional history , and Ashton Whitworth , who presented and explained the working tools to the candidate .

The visitors were Bros . Walter Alcock P . M . 1012 and 191 P . P G Tr J W . Konyon P . M . 42 P . P . G . Supt . of Works , Jas Grant 325 , and G . Hy . Wohl

ALBERT VICTOR LODGE , No . 1773 . nriHE regular meeting took place at the Town Hall , Pendleton , on Friday , JL 19 th ult . After the reading and confirmation of minutes , Bro . H . C . D . Scottwas raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason . Bro . W . Woodeson Wui-shipful Master performed the ceremony , being ably assisted by Bro Thomas Throlfall P . M . Prov . G . P . acting Senior Warden , who presented and explained the working tools in a manner which was agreeably reminiscent of the days of his Mastership .

The usual festive board followed , several of the Brethren contributing songs , & e . Among the numerous visitors were Bros . Dr . W . J . Sprofct W . M . 4 . 02 2709

Provincial.

T . lTownend jun . P . M . 298 , W . J . Herring P . M . 1458 , and Dr . W . O . Steinthal I . P . M . 298 .

MINNEHAHA MINSTREL LODGE , No . 2363 . rriHE regular meeting was held at the Victoria Hotel , Manchester , on I Monday , 22 nd ult ., Bro . Sam Luke Worshipful Master .

After the reading and confirmation of minutes , Messrs . Matthew Henry Chapman , Merchant , Bowden ; and Robert Brotherton Whitfield , Electrical Engineer , Stockport ; were successfully balloted for , and the latter was initiated bv the W . M ., assisted by Bro . F . Todd J . W .

After Lodge business , a ladies' social took place , the Lodge room being converted by the management into a very handsome drawing room , where the ladies were received previous to partaking of a most excellent supper . On returning to the Lodge room songs and sketches were given by Brethren and lady friends , a very pleasant evening being spent .

THE MANCHESTER LODGE , No . 2554 . rfTHB regular meeting was held at the Freemasons' Hall , Manchester , on J _ Friday , 12 th ult ., Bro . Arthur C . K . Smith Worshipful Master . Four ceremonies had been announced on the summons , that of a passing , and three raisings . In the first instance , however , the candidate , Bro . Charles Neufeld , being absent from England the passing was postponed until a future meeting .

Lodge having been advanced , Bros . W . Gibbons , Arthur James Hoyland , and Max Fritz Wilhelm Kargc were raised to the sublime degree of M . M ., the former two by the W . M ., and the latter by Bro . A . Rjttmayer I . P . M . 317 . At the festive board which followed , the harmony was considerabl y enchanced by the efforts of Bro . Nelson Jackson 241 .

Instruction.

INSTRUCTION .

CONFIDENCE LODGE , No . 193 . WEDNESDAY was Officers' night at tho meeting of this Lodge at the Bunch of Grapes , Lime Street , E . C , and Bro . J . W . Simeons W . M . 193 was in the chair , with Bros . S . Kells S . W ., Metcalf Baiilie J . W ., Latham W . M . 1962 SD ., G . Bushell J . D ., Owen I . G ., Spice I . P . M . Preceptor , J . K . Pitt P . M . Secretary , E . J . Davey P . M ., Giecu , Clark , Haughton , Goodchild , Carr , Hattersley , Goovaerts , and other Brethren .

The Lodge was opened and advanced to the third degree , when the ceremony of raising was rehearsed , Bro . Goodchild acting as candidate . An initiation was rehearsed , Bro . Clark being candidate . The Lodge was adjourned until Wednesday next , when Bro . Metcalf Baiilie will be in the chair . The usual friendly supper followed .

ROYAL ALFRED LODGE , No . 780 . rriHERE was only a small attendance on the 8 th inst ., at the Star and I Garter Hotel , Kew Bridge , when Bro . Justin Allen occupied the chair , numerous ordinary meetings in the district attracting several of the regular attendants . Those present included Bros . Goff S . W ., St . Aubyn J . W ., F . Larkman P . M . Treas . acting as Preceptor , C . Dowling S . D ., Johnson J . D ..

Dinnis P . M . I . G ., J . Wynman , Dr . Frenchon , Langdon P . M ., Standring , & c . The ceremony of installation was rehearsed , Bro . Goff being presented as W . M .-elect , and he afterwards went through the first ceremony with Bro . Johnson representing the candidate . Bro . St . Aubyn was elected to preside on Thursday next .

NEW CROSS LODGE , No . 1559 . Annual Supper and presentation to Bro . J . D . Graham P . M . A VERY pleasant , happy , and a most successful meeting of this Lodge took place on Tuesday of last week , at Bro . L . Lake ' s , the Kemble ' s Head , Long Acre . Bro . J . D . Graham P . M . the popular Preceptor of the Lodge occupied the chair , and was supported by Bros . W . Menuinger I . P . M . of the Mother

Lodge , G . Faaz Secretary , G . A . Bolland , W . Bates , Wood , S . Tull , W . Knill , CarrielVi , French , Erde , 3 . Swash , T . Davis P . M ., Dingethal , Russell , F . Kerswell , C . Johnson , Conquest , W . Tipton , J . Sutcliffe , E . Beadle , S . Jacobs P . M ., R . Foster , Joseph Hatton W . M . 901 , L . Hollingsworth , Fred Payne , W . Grove , V . C . Summers , B . Lacy , C . Athon , W . Quinton , A . Israel , J . Wynman , Mr . J . H . Heathmati ( Visitor ) , avid several otners .

At tliefcerrnmation of a bountiful supper , to which full justice was done , Bro . Graham gave the customary Loyal toast , trusting the Great Architect of the Universe might spare her Majesty the Queen for many years to come , and especially in the trying moments of the present . He also wished our brave soldiers a safe and glorious return from South Africa . The toast was received with musical honours , in which the company most heartily joined . '

The toast of the evening was proposed by Bro . Johnson , who gave Success to the New Cross Lodge of Instruction , and health to the Chairman . There were several members who attended the Lodge regularly , but there were a great many others who attended very irregularly . He sincerely hoped they would be able to be present more often , as without attending instruction

meetings they could not expect to occupy those high positions they were doubtless seeking in their Mother Lodges . There must be a leader in every capacity , and they of the New Cross Lodge of Instruction had the pleasure of having Bro . Graham for their leader—t < i find a better one would be indeed difficult , and in proposing prosperity to the Lodge he could not do better than couple the name of Bro . Graham , their worthy Preceptor .

Bro . Graham , on rising was most heartily received . He thanked Bro . Johnson for coupliug his name with the toast , and thanked the Brethren for having received the same in such a cordial mauner . Last year they started the Instruction Lodge in earnest , and he , as the Preceptor , was sure it would be a great success . He sincerely hoped the Brethren would attend more regularly . At present there was not much balance in favour of the Lod ge , but he was sure it would become one of tho most popular in the metropolis .

Bro . T . Davis P . M ., who is a great favourite in the Lodge , now rose and claimed the attention of the company . He said Bro . Graham was one of the hardest workers in the Craft , acd would do anything for the welfare of the Lodge . When it started it was Bro . Graham and Bro . Menninger the I . P . M of the Mother Lodge who partly furnished it ; he w ; is not alone a Freemason