Provincial.

and he appreciated very highly the honour conferred upon him by unanimously electing him to the chair . As an old Past Master it had afforded him sincere pleasure to stand back and see his friends come forward to occupy the position of W . M . He would try and emulate the good example which thoy had set him . This was the sixth time it had been his proud privilege to be installed W . M . of a

Craft Lodgo ; therefore , under ordinary circumstances , he ought to be fairly well acquainted with the duties of the chair . If he had gained any experience he was only too pleased to place it entirely at tho disposal of the Brethren . It was his hope and ambition to add in every way to the comfort and happiness of the Brethren , and

to promote the bond of union and fraternal love which was the foundation of the whole Masonic structure . He hoped that at the termination of his year of office , when he should leave the chair , he would take with him the goodwill , regard and esteem of every member of the Lodge .

Bro . Shurmur afterwards proposed the health of the Installing Master , Bro . James Speller . The Brethren would all unite in congratulations to Bro . Speller for the more than admirable manner in which he had performed the ceremony of Installation . If Bro . Speller would permit him to say so ho considered him as somewhat his protegl ; they were old friends in Masonry and in business ,

but he had had some difficulty to make Bro . Speller " hitch on " to Freemasonry . At last he succeeded , and Bro . Speller was now an excellent Freemason ; he was Preceptor of the Evening Star Lodge of Instruction , and was there regarded as a bright Morning Star . A sample of his work he had given that night . The Brethren had heard him work each degree in the Warner Lodge with much proficiency . He had given them all satisfaction .

Bro . James Speller replied . Ho said it was one of the most delightful times of his lifo to have to instal such a brilliant light as Bro . Shurmur . Last year it fell to his lot to assist in an installation for which they were kind enough to present him with a jewel which he should always wear with the greatest regard . He thanked the Brethren sincerely for so cordially responding to the toast .

Bro . Gordon 898 , Hunter 452 , Gower , Dr . Gordon , Knight and several other Brethren responded to tho toast of the Visitors , and the other toasts having been given and responded to the Tyler's toast , given by Bro . Ives P . M ., brought the proceedings to a close , and the Brethren returned to town by the last train . o o o

PANTILES LODGE , No . 2200 . AT the Pump Eoom , Tunbridge Wells , on Wednesday , 3 rd inst ., the W . M . Brother C J . Gallard presided , supported by the Wardens Brothers T . Potter and J . Fletcher , and about thirty others .

After the usual routine business had been gone through Bro . T . C . Johnson was passed . Bro . J . Fletcher was unanimously elected W . M . for tho ensuing year , E . Grundwoll Treasurer , R . Stevenson Almoner and Charity Representative , and Walter Tyler .

Messrs . Gane and Semark were balloted for and declared to be elected , and the W . M . moved that the sum of £ 10 be devoted from the funds to the Swanwick Benevolent Institution , which proposition was duly carried . A nomination to the last-mentioned Institution was made , and the meeting closed in due form , tho proceedings being wound up with a supper at the Swan Hotel .

o o o LONDONDERRY LODGE , No . 2039 . ON 1 st inst . a meeting was held at the Masonic Hall , Park Terrace , Sunderland , under the presidency of the W . M . Bro . James Lee .

After some ordinary business had been transacted , the W . M .-elect Bro . William Scott S . W ., was presented by Bro . J . C Moor D . C . to the Installing Master Bro . Lee , by whom the Installation ceremony was very ably performed . o o o

ROSE OF RABY LODGE , No . 1650 . ON Saturday , 29 th ult ., the whole of the Brethren with their wives and lady friends , were entertained at Raby Castle in response to the invitation of Lord and Lady Barnard , His Lordship being at present Worshipful Master of the Lodge . Shortly after their arrival the Officers were photographed in regalia , Lord Barnard wearing for the first time the clothing of a Senior Warden of the Province of Durham , to which Office he has recently been appointed . Another photographic group was taken of the whole of the Ladies and Brethren present .

Lord and Lady Barnard most graciously entertained the guests to afternoon tea , and dividing the company into two parties conducted them personally over the castle and grounds , pointing out the most interesting features of the same .

Subsequently the party sat down to a banquet , after which the Senior Warden of the Lodge ( Bro . J . E . Backhouse ) , in a very eloquent and feeling speech , thanked Lord and Lady Barnard for the kind and courteous manner in which they had entertained their guests .

Lord Barnard suitably responded on behalf of Lady Barnard and himself , he expressing the pleasure it had given them to have had the opportunity of entertaining those present . During the afternoon the band provided by Mr . Boynes enlivened the proceedings with several very charming musical selections , and as darkness set in the carriages were ordered , and the party dispersed with feelings of extreme satisfaction .

The usual monthly meeting of this Lodge was held on the 24 th ult ., at the Scarth Memorial Hall , Staindrop , under the presidency of Lord Barnard W . M ., when there was a iaigcgathering . On this occasion also the Brethren paiu a visit to Rab , Castle .

Provincial.

LIVERPOOL DRAMATIC LODGE , No . 1609 . ON the 25 th ult ., at tho Masonic Hall , Hope Street , Liverpool , the largest and most influential meeting of the members of tho Dramatic Lodgo which has taken place since its Consecration , was opened under the presidency of the retiring W . M . and attended not only by the members in large numbers , but also by a numerous contingent of Visitors from the Province of West Lancashire and other districts .

The Lodgo was originally founded for tho accommodation of members of the histrionic and lyric professions , and can now boast of members in all parts of the world , who hold high places in the practice of their art .

The performance of tho Installation ceremony of placing Bro . Heard in tho chair by Bro . A . E . Workman W . M . was admirably accompanied by a vocal and instrumental choir and orchestra under the concluctorship of Brother Josef Cantor Past Provincial Grand Organist .

At tho conclusion of the ceremony the W . M . presented tho I . P . M . Bro . Workman with a valuable P . M . 's jewel on behalf of the Lodge , which Brother Workman acknowledged in suitable terms . About 150 Brethren subsequently dined in the banquetting-room j tho catering being very satisfactorily carried out by Brother Capper .

The I . P . M . was presented during tho evening with a diamond ring as a mark of tho respect in which he was held . A liberal collection was taken up for the Benevolent Fund , and the proceedings shortly afterwards came to a close , hearty congratulations being given to the newly-installed W . M . in connection with a " record " installation meeting . o o o

DE LA POLE LODGE , No . 1605 . rp H E Installation of Brother G . Petch as Worshipful Master I took place on the 4 th inst ., in tho Masonic Hall , Kingston Square , Hull . On the opening of the Lodge Bro . Tindell W . M . was in the

chair . The ceremony of Installation was performed by Bro . J . R . Ansdell P . M . P . P . G . S . B ., assisted by Bro . E . Corris P . M . of the Humber . The new Master invested the Officers for the ensuing year .

The Installation banquet followed , and , thanks to the efforts of Bro . A . Moody chief Steward , and Bro . J . Chapell P . M . a recherche spread was provided . The new Worshipful Master presided , and was supported by a large number of Officers and Brethren . Toasts , incident to the event , were honoured , tho proceedings throughout being of a highly successful character . o o o

TRAFFORD LODGE , No . 1496 . THE Installation meeting and St . John ' s Festival in connection with this flourishing Lodge took place on Monday , the 8 th inst ., at the Western Hotel , Moss Side , Manchester . The Lodge was opened by the W . M . Bro . Francis Long at threo o ' clock , when thoro were present : —Bros . John Morris I . P . M ., Percy E . Laud S . W . ( W . M .-elect ) , E . Knight J . W ., Geo . Burslcm P . M . Treas ., J . 0 . Gillman P . M . P . P . S . G . D . Sec , David Johnson

P . M . D . C , C Preston S . D ., J . S . Dono I . G ., H . P . Jones P . M . P . P . G . E ., Joseph Kershaw P . M ., John Rathbone P . M ., Walter Biggs P . M ., W . Yeadon , E . Russell , J . Yule-Deeley , 0 . F . Davies , T . Jackson , Walter Lees , H . Moggeridge , J . C Vickers , C Dewsbury , N . Jones Tyler . Visitors : C W . Maybury P . M ., W . F . Scarlett 1314

W . S . Coppock S . W . 1357 , Thos . Threlfall I . P . M . 1773 , Archd . C , Wilson W . M . 633 , L . H . Keay J . D . 1219 , Harry H . Martyne I . P . M , 1387 , W . F . Farnngton P . M . 1633 , W . E . Schofield 1161 , J . S , Schofield 1161 , J . A . Carse J . D . 1375 , J . Morrison'W . M . 1375 , P . G . W ' alsh Sec . 1147 , J . E . Ashworth I . P . M . 1161 , Wm . Kay 2144 , Herbert Owles S . D . 163 , and J . Allin Organist 2231 .

A successful ballot was taken for Bro . C W . Maybury P . M . as & re-joining member of the Lodgo , after which the balance sheet , which was of a satisfactory character , was submitted by the Auditors , Bros . Yeadon , Davies , and Jackson , and adopted . Bro . J . C . Gillman P . P . S . G . D . who , it is interesting to mention , has Installed every W . M . since the consecration twenty-one years ago , then took the chair as Installing Master , Bro . Jones P . P . G . Eeg . occupying that of S . W ., and Bro . Burslem that of

J . W . The W . M .-elect was presented for the benefit of Installation by Bro . W . Biggs P . M ., and , with the assistance of the P . Ms , of the Lodge was installed by Bro . Gillman in a very impressive manner , the beautiful ceremony being much enjoyed by all present . The new occupant of the chair of K . S . was proclaimed and saluted in accoidance with ancient custom , and the working tools wero presented by Brother Kershaw P . M .

The W . M . invested his Officers as follow : Bros . F . Long I . P . M ., Ramsey Knight S . W ., C Preston J . W ., G . Burslem P . M . Treas ., J . C Gillman P . P . S . G . D . Secretary , Wm . Yeadon S . D ., J . S . Done J . D ., David Johnson P . M . D . C , C W . Maybury P . M . Organist , H . Russell I . G ., J . C Vickers , Walter Lees , T . Jackson Stewards , Nathaniel Jones Tyler .

The Worshipful Master was efficiently assisted in the investiture by Brother Johnson P . M . D . C and Brother Eathbone P . M . The address to the Worshipful Master was given by Brother Long I . P . M ., that to the Waroens by Brother Jones , and that to the Brethren by Brother Burslem P . M .

After cordial congratulations had been extended to the W . M . on behalf of the Provincial Grand Lodge of West Lancashire , and the many Lodges represented , the proceedings were brought to a conclusion . Subsequently the Brethren , together with several others who were unabie to be present at the installation ceremony , sat down to