Provincial.

"In-Cellar Cool . " . In addition to these items Bro . J . H . Greenwood , the popular entertainer , gave his humorous songs " The Showman " and " The Cabby , " which created an unusual amount of merriment . The musical arrangements were under the direction Bro . H . S . Stevens . The usual Loyal and Masonic toasts were proposed and enthusiastically received .

Bro . Richard Newhouse P . M . Grand Sword Bearer of England and Provincial Grand Secretary , responding for the Officers of the Grand Lodge of England , referred to the coming Centenary of the Boys School , and urged upon the Brethren the importance of enabling ( by their liberal contributions ) Brother Earl of Egerton Provincial Grand Master of Cheshire to represent the Province with £ 3 , 000 .

The health of the Ladies was proposed in a very suitable manner by Bro . John Lewis , and was responded to by Bro . E . G . Simpson in his usual humorous manner . ' ¦ ¦ Bro . E . G . Simpson proposed the toast of the W . M . Bro . Charles

Kenworthy , who , in responding , alluded to the observations of Bro . Newhouse in the matter of the Centenary of the Boys School , and said , although taking into consideration the fact that the De Tatton Lodge had only been in existence for a few years ,, he ventured to say it would not be second to any other Lodge in the Province .

The Tyler ' s toast , and the singing of the National Anthem , brought an enjoyable evening to a close .

ADUR LODGE , No . 2187 . AT . the assembly Rooms , Henfield , on Monday , 14 th inst ., the annual installation took place , Bro . C . A . Milnes being installed by the retiring W . M . Bro . W . Hillman , in the presence of a large company . Subsequently some seventy Brethren sat down to a capital banquet .

CENTURION LODGE , No . 2322 . THE regular meeting was held at the Victoria Hotel , Manchester , on . Monday , 7 th . inst ., Bro . Capt . T . W . Ashworth W . M . After the reading and confirmation of minutes , a ballot , which was successful , was taken for Bro . William Humphreys , Bowdon , Captain 3 rd V . B . Lancashire Fusiliers , I . P . M . Friendship Lodge , No . 44 , who was desirous of becoming a joining member . After this , Bro . Lieut . Arthur Samuel Pearse was passed to the degree of F . C . At the festive board which followed , a very pleasant evening was spent .

DUKE OF YORK LODGE , No . 2449 . THE regular meeting was held at the Palatine Hotel , Manchester , on Thursday , 10 th instant , Bro . Clement John Hall W . M . After the reading and confirmation of minutes Bro . Arthur Hudson was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason by Bro . William Boden P . M .,

assisted by Bro . S . Mamelok P . M ., the latter presenting the working tools . The election of Officers then took place , with the result that Bro . John Kinsey J . W . was unanimously adopted as W . M .-elect , the position of Treasurer falling to Bro . Mamelok . Other business wt & transacted and the Lodge was closed in peace and harmony .

At tho festive board , the usual Loyal and Masonic toasts were given and responded to , these being pleasantly relieved by songs , & c , given by the W . M-. Bros . T . H . Stott Sec , S . Kew I . G ., and others . Bro . Boden proposed the health of the W . M ., to which Bro . Hall replied , saying that in relinquishing his position of W . M . it was not from his own free will , for had he bent towards the promptings of his heart he would

have liked to extend his services for another term , but he had to exercise that generosity to Bro . Kinsey that had been extended to him by his predecessor , and would say that although he had been tempted to join other Lodges , his mind was made up that whatever might befall the career of the Duke of York , he would remain a member so long as The Great Architect of the Universe decreed he should be able to attend the meetings .

Bro . Stott , in proposing the toast of the Past Masters , stated that as Secretary he could , better perhaps than many members , appreciate the value of the assistance given by Past Masters , and he had pleasure in testifying to the ability of those belonging to the Duke of York Lodge . Adverting to the well-timed remarks of Bro . Hall W . M ., he would say that out of gratitude to the Past Masters , if for no other reason , he would always desire to remain a member among them .

Bro . T . T . Hardiker I . P . M . P . G . Swd . B . and Bro . Boden responded , the latter affirming that he , as a Mason in both the Provinces of East and West Lancashire , knew of no other Lodge which he had visited ( and they were many ) where , considering the comparative newness of the Lodge , they could boast of better work .

The toast of the Officers was responded to by Bros . R . H . Whatbam , and J . T . Whittle , the former indulging in several apt illustrations by way of suggesting the inadvisability of an Officer considering his work of too perfect a character , remarks which Bro . Whittle heartily endorsed .

WIRRAL LODGE , No . 2496 . AS briefly recorded in our last issue , the Brethren of this Lodge assembled on Thursday , 3 rd inst ., at the Masonic Hall , Claughton Road , Birkenhead , to celebrate their annual festival and installation , under the presidency of Bro . George Proudman P . M . 1013 Worshi pful Master , who was supported by Bros . E . G . Mason ( Mayor of Birkenhead ) P . M . 1276 P . P . G . D ., Alderman Thomas Shaw P . M . P . P . G . W . J . W ., Councillor James Gamlin P . M . P . P . G . D . I . G ., and the other Officers of the Lodge .

The W . M .-elect Bro . Councillor Alfd . H . Rigmaiden S . W . was presented by Bros . P . Duff P . M . P . P . G . D . and A . E . Coveney P . M . P . P . G . D ,, and was installed Worshipful Master for the ensuing year by Bro . George Proudman . The following Officers were appointed , invested and addressed by the W . M .: —Bros . Proudman I . P . M ., Alderman James Woodcock S . W . James

, Smith J . W ., J . Millward Hughes P . P . G . O . Secretary , Councillor J . T . Thompson P . M . P . P . G . R . Treasurer , R . Powell P . P . G . S . Assistant Treasurer , John Carter S . D ., J . J . Elliott J . D ., Councillor R . Rowland Hughes I . G ., H . G . Baty , W . Cannon , J . T . Morgan , and F . R . Wilson Stewards , and W . A . Weston Organist .

• Among the Visitors were Bros . Captain Macnab P . P . G . W ., W . Davidson P . M . 1276 P . G . S . Works , F . R . Stevenson P . M . P . P . G . D ., F . S . Moore P . M 1239 , Owen Jones P . M . P . P . G . S . B ., George Wild P . M . 537 , Alec . Moore P . M P . G . D ., W . H . Jones W . M . 605 , W . Darby W . M . 1276 , J . Watt P . M . 605 , R .

Provincial.

Parry P . M . 1276 , Dr . Brewer W . M . 2433 , John Lusty P . M . Duke of Edinburgh Lodge ; London , F . Minshull 3 . D . 1393 . The business of the Lodge having been closed , the Brethren adjourned to the banqueting room , where a sumptuous banquet had been provided by Bro . D . Baker .

The W . M . gave the first toast , that of the Queen . A toast that , wherever Britons met or Masons gathered , was received with a kind of sacred enthusiasm . It was that of tho noblo lady who ruled the destinies of their great Empire , whose dominion was more extended than the wildest dream of the greatest Cesar ever traversed , and withal a woman whose kind sympathy beats in unison with the hearts of her poorest subjects , and in whose diadem sparkles the Masonic jewels of love , virtue and charity .

Bro . George Proudman had the honour and privilege of submitting the health of the Worshipful Master Bro . Rigmaiden , which afforded him great pleasure , although no words of his were necessary to recommend the toast . The able manner in which the W . M . had invested and addressed his Officers

would give them some idea what to expect in the work of the Lodge . The W . M . was a man of culture and high intelligence , and an earnest Mason , one who would " find tongues in trees , books in tho running brook , sermons in stones and good in everything , "' and he ventured to say the Wirral Lodge would prosper under the guidance of such a Brother .

The W . M ., on rising to respond , was enthusiastically received . He thanked the I . P . M . for the pleasing terms in which he had proposed the toast of his health , and the Brethren for the great cordiality with which the toast had been received ; he would do his best to ensure the success of the Lodge during the coming year , and trusted he would have the co-operation of the Officers in the work .

The health of the I . P . M . and Installing Master was proposed by Bro . J . T Thompson , who said it was a great pleasure to him to be entrusted with this important toast . He referred in eulogistic terms to the excellent work performed during the past year ; the Immediate Past Master had indeed , in the twelve months that had ended that evening , enjoyed a very brilliant reign . To begin with he had occupied the chair for the second time ; next he performed all the ceremonies , and to complete the duties had installed his successor in a most efficient manner .

The Mayor at this stage rose and said he had been requested , on behalf of the Brethren , to present the retiring Worshipful Master with the valuable case containing cutlery and silver table requisites , numbering 100 pieces , which were exhibited before them , and which bore the following inscription :

Presented to ¦ BEO . GEORGB PEOTJDMAN , by the members of the Wirral Lodge , 2496 , on his retiring from the chair , to mark the high esteem in which he is held by all the Brethren . Birkenhead , 3 rd February 1898 .

In an eloquent speech he congratulated the recipient on the excellent manner the duties of Master had been performed during the year , duties which he had crowned that night by installing his successor ; and wished him and his wife health and long life to enjoy the useful articles he had much pleasure in presenting . ;

In responding , Bro . Proudman said he was placed in a very difficult position . History recorded that the great Caesar referred to by the WM sighed for new worlds to conquer , but he sighed , that night for words to express his thanks for the kindness and forbearance received during the ' past year , and . the honour done him that day . To Bro . Thompson he expressed his sincere thanks for the kind words used towards him in proposing the

toast of his health , and to the Brethren for the reception they had given the toast . To the Mayor he also had to express his grateful thanks for the compliment paid to him in presenting him with the valuable and useful present . A great writer had said the greatest trust between man and man was the trust of giving counsel , and he had to thank the Past Masters of the Lodge for the very able counsel he had received from them , which , with their assistance , had enabled him to perform the duties of his office , which

he had done to the best of his power . The kindness and valuable present received at the hands of the Brethren told him his efforts had met with their approbation . He was conscious of having made mistakes and errors of judgment , but he consoled himself with the reflection that the man who never made a mistake or error of judgment never made anything at all . He thanked them most sincerely for the handsome gift , and concluded , " may such be given unto you , good measure , pressed down and running over . "

Bro . Shaw submitted the toast of the Visitors , which was responded to by Bros . Macnab , F . K . Stevenson , and George Brown . The proceedings were enlivened by a musical quartette , consisting of Bros . Walter Baker , Richard Parry , S . J . Carr , and J . J . Hewson .

NEW BRIGHTON LODGE , No . 2619 . THE second installation of Worshipful Master of this Lodge was held on Wednesday , 12 th ult ., at the Victoria Hotel , New Brighton , when Col . Dean P . P . S . G . W . P . M . 1289 2133 2375 and 2619 , first W . M . of the Lodge , installed Bro . Joseph Roby as his successor . ' - In the course of the evening Col . Dean was presented with a * Past Master ' s jewel and a valuable silver salad bowl , the latter bearing an inscription testifying to the esteem in which he is held by the Brethren .

Royal Arch.

ROYAL ARCH .

POWNSHIRE CHAPTER , No .: 594 . THE installation meeting was . held on : Wednesday , 12 th ult ., at the Masonic Hall , Liverpool , when there was a good attendance of members and visitors . . The new Principals installed were Comps . F . Wilkinson Z ., W . H . Veevera H .. and W . H . Parkinson J . v Y . : ;

.-. o . .- o - o TRUTH INSTRUCTION CHAPTER , No . 1458 . ri ^ HE monthly meeting was held at the Mosley Hotel , Piccadilly , J Manchester , on Tuesday , 8 th inst ., Comp . Arthur H . Jefferis P . Z . 645 P . P . G . J . Preceptor , assisted by Comps . Buckley Carr P . Z . 993 P . P . G . D . C " , Fletcher Armstrong P . Z . 935 P . P . G . A . D . C , C . W . Godby P . Z . 325 P . P . G . First Assistant Soj ., and others . : After the reading and confirmation of minutes , a ceremony of exaltation