Provincial Meetings.

BRADFORD . Acacia Lodge ( No . 2321 ) . —The regular meeting of this lodge was held at the Masonic Hall , on Thursday , the 13 th inst . There were present Bros . Alfred Stephenson , P . M ., P . P . G . D . of C , W . M . ; Samuel A . Auty , P . M ., S . W . j Joseph Wilson , P . M ., J . W . j Edward P . Peterson , Treas . j John P . Last , Sec . ; Thos .

lowett , S . D . ; John Niven , J . D . ; John Thornton , I . G . ; Thos . W . Holmes , P . M ., P . P . G . O ., Org . ; S . A . Bailey , P . M ., D . of C . ; John Haigh , P . M ., Chap . ; Alfred ] . Boyle , Tyler ; and Root . Visitors : Bros . VV . Oddy , " P . M . 387 j H . J . Suthers , I . P . M . IOISJ C . Middleton , W . M . 206 9 j J . Dewhirst , P . M . 600 j T . H . Nelson , 600 j E . Mackay , Sec . 600 j W . S . Smith , IOISJ and Buonocore ,

log , Logro . io , Spain . The lodge was opened , and the minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed . The ballot was then taken for Messrs . David Milner and John Morton , which proving successful , they were initiated into the mysteries of Ancient Freemasonry in a satisfactory manner by the W . M . The working tools were presented and explained by the S . W ., and the charge impressively given by Bro . Bailey , P . M .,

D . ofC A resolution was unanimously passed to contribute £ 2 ios . to the Binckes Pension Commutation Fund . A candidate for initiation having been proposed , "Hearty good wishes" were tendered by the visitors and brethren , and the lodge was closed . The brethren afterwards adjourned to the social board , and an enjoyable evening : was spent .

ELS TREE . KingSWOOd Lodge ( No . 2278 ) . —An emergency meeting of this lodge was held on Saturday , the 15 th inst ., Bro . John Fetch , I . P . M ., occupying the chair as W . M ., supported by Bros . H . T . Nell , P . M ., as S . W . j J . G . Cobb , J . W . j Wm . Ball , P . M ., Sec . j C . M . Coxon , S . D j J . F . Bell , J . D . ; G . T . Chretien , acting I . G . ; and

I . Williams , Iyler . Ihere were also present Bros . R . VV . Nicole , H . T . Hipwell , E . H . Moore , W . Kennedy , T . B . Smoothy , G . A . Parkinson , and VV . Sammes . Visitor : Bro . F . Stallard , VV . M . 1613 . The business for which the lodge was summoned was that of passing Bros . Kennedy , Smoothy , and Parkinson , which was done by the acting W . M . in an excellent manner , and

the lodge was closed . After an interval spent in the grounds , the brethren reassembled for refreshment , when the customary toasts were proposed and duly honoured . In proposing " Ihe Health of the W . M ., Bro . Rawson Kelley , P . P . G . W . West Yorks , " the acting W . M ., Bro . Petch , read a telegram he had received from the W . M .,

expressing regret at his inability to be present , and conveying his best wishes . The acting Worshi p ful Master proposed " The Health of the Visitor , " and said it was not usual for them to have but a single visitor at their meetings , but they were very pleased indeed to have the company of Bro . Stallard , W . M . of the Cripplegate Lodge , and hoped he would visit them again at one of their regular meetings .

Bro . Stallard , VV . M . 1613 , said he had heard a good deal about the Kingswood Lodge , and was personally acquainted with most of the members . He had expected to see good working , and that expectation had been fulfilled , for in every particular the work had been well done . He thanked them for the hearty welcome they had given him .

In reply to the toast of " The Officers of the Lodge , Bro . H . T . Nell , P . M ., reminded the brethren of his Stewardship at the approaching Festival of the R . M . I . for Girls . Bro . C . M . Coxon , S . D ., took the opportunity ol expressing his thanks to the lodge and the brethren individually for the generous support he had received as the

first Steward from the lodge to the R . M . B . I ., his list amounting to upwards of £ 40 . It has been decided that the lodge shall be represented by a Steward at the Festival of the Boys' School also , the brethren being desirous of marking their advent in the province by a record of useful work done in the cause of the Masonic Charities .

Some excellent songs were given during the evening by Bros . Moore , Parkinson , Kennedy , and others . The day proving very fine and spring-like , a very enjoyable outing was the result .

LOUGHTON . BagShaw Lodge ( No . 1457 ) . —A more than usually interesting meeting was that of this lodge on the 13 th inst . The VV . M ., Bro . William James Shadrake , found it necessary to call the members together at a somewhat early hour in the afternoon , and was laudably supported by his officers and a good muster of brethren , amongst whom were Bros . Day , S . W . ; Thompson , J . W .

( who acted as Onranist ) j Holloway , acting J . VV . ; Langdon , S . D . ; O . ^ Steffen , J . D . ; Edwards , P . M ., Sec ; J . C . Hopwood , P . M . ; Nunn , P . M . ; Cuthbert , I . G . j Goddard , Tyler ; A . L . Sawer , Fenton , Lawford , Austen , Cusack-Smith , Cuff , and many others . Visitors : Bros . James Stevens , P . M . 720 , 1216 , and 1426 ; T . S . Taylor , P . M . 554 , 933 , 4 , andi 43 i ; VV . VV . Morgan , P . M . St . Michael ' s Lodge j Bockenham , Shuter , Green , Smart , and others .

After confirmation of the minutes , Bro . Cusack-Smith was raised as a M . M ., the W . M . completing the ceremony by delivering- the charge of that Degree . Bro . Cusack-Smith has been appointed H . M . Consul for the Island of Samoa , and his departure had been arranged for the same afternoon . The lodge was , therefore , called off for the purpose of a brief entertainment in his honour , and soon

after Bro . Cusack-Smith was en . route for his official duties . On the resumption of the lodge , Bros . Lawford and Cuff were severally passed to the Degree of F . C . by the VV . M ., who subsequently delivered the charge in that Degree . Bro . Hopwood , I . P . M ., explained the tracing board in a very effective manner . By the courtesy of the VV . M ., Bro . James Stevens , P . M ., occupied the chair , and Mr . lames

Stevens , his eldest son , who had been unanimously elected at an earlier period of the evening , was duly initiated by his father into the mysteries of Freemasonry . The charge in this Degree was given by the VV . M ., and ceremonial ' business terminated by the explanation of the first tracing board by Bro . Stevens . The whole of the work throughout some four and a half hours was carefully and efficiently performed , and excited the earnest attention of all who had

Provincial Meetings.

been privileged to be present . The musical portion of the ceremonies was undertaken by Bro . Thompson , who most ably performed his duties . Bro . Ambrose , 3 S 8 , was elected a joining member . A vote for the purchase of an organ was unanimously recorded , and the lodge was then closed .

A pleasant supper followed labour , and subsequently an excellent musical entertainment , in which Bros . Waltev Latter and the newly-initiated Bro . James Stevens accompanied with great ability songs by Bros . Lawford , Bockenham , Fenton , Sawer , and other musical brethren .

MANCHESTER . Arthur Sullivan Lodge ( No . 2156 ) . —A meeting was held on Wednesday , the 12 th inst ., at the Old Boar ' s Head , Withy-grove . Present : Bros . F . W . Lean , W . M . j Ben Brierley , S . W . j R . Morley , Org . j N . Dumville , P . M ., Treas . j E . W . Irving , P . M ., Sec . j A . H . Williams , P . M ., D . C . j Ios . Simmons , I . G . j A .

S . Kinnell , Stwd . ; Hy . Dawson , Tyler ; C . Turner , P . M . ; W . Dumville , P . M . ; E . Barnfather , John Jackson , H . G . Sadler , C . Mercer , Robt . Foster , Cuthbert Blacow , and John Taylor , Visitors : Bros . Geo . Sam Smith , P . M . 1170 ; Jos . Gregory , S . W . 999 j W . Leigh , 999 j A . B . Megson , J . VV . 1313 j A . B . Buttrick , 1313 J J . H . Maccan , 1071 j and Wm . T . Schofield , P . G . D . Lodge was opened by Bro . F . VV . Lean , and the minutes

of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . The charge in the First Degree was delivered by the W . M . to Bro . Taylor , who had been initiated at the previous meetting , and he was then passed to the Second Degree . Bro . E . W . Irving presented the working tools . Sympathy was expressed with the family of the late Bro . W . Ashton , J . W ., at their great loss . The matter was alluded to in terms of great tenderness by Bro . F . W . Lean .

NEATH . Cambrian Lodge ( No . 3 64 ) . —The annual festival of the members of the above lodge was held on the nth inst ., at the Masonic Hall , for the purposeof installing the W . M . for the ensuing year , when the following brethren were present : Bros . M . Tennant , D . P . G . M . j A . Burnett , W . M . j E . Grant , I . P . M . j E . H . Lloyd , P . M . j Thos .

Phillips , P . M . j R . A . Browning , P . M . ; G . Jones , P . M . ; D . LI . Davies , P . M . j J . E . Griffith , S . W . j S . Phillips , J . VV . ; A . F . Mills , Chap . ; VV . Whittington , Treas . ; VV . Hopkins , S . D . ; M . Whittington . I . G . ; G . Palmer , D . C ; J . S . Church , Org . ; J . D . Foster and W . Bedford , Stewards j T . Wall , Tyler j J . H . Thomas , P . Thomas , VV . Griffiths , I . D . Llewellyn , 1 . Peckover , and T . C lames .

Visitors : Bros . T . Walters , ] . Rogers , P . P . S . G . W ., Neil Leitch , P . P . J . G . D ., VV . D . Davies , J . R . Davies , P . J . G . W ., L . D . Howell , A . Paton , and W . G . Davies , P . M ., of 1573 j H . Haydon , W . M ., D . R . David , P . M ., L . Jenkins , J . VV ., and J . H . Macey , Sec , of 833 j J . G ., Hall , P . P . S . G . W ., and VV . B . Broad , P . P . G . O ., of 1323 ; VV . G . Nicholls , W . M ., J . W . Lloyd , P . P . G . P ., E . G . Protheroe , S . VV .,

and G . S . Fitt , of 237 ; J . H . Stephens , 529 j W . R . Davies , W . M . 1578 , - D . R . Lewis , VV . M . no ; George Abraham , C 79 ; and E . Roberts , P . M . 192 . Several other distinguished brethren were unable to attend . The lodge was opened , and the Installing Master , Bro . E .

H . Lloyd , P . M ., performed the ceremony in a masterly manner . Having placed the newly-installed Master , Bro . W . Whittington , in the chair ( for the fifth time ) , the officers for the ensuing year were invested : Bros . Albert Burnett , I . P . M . ; S . Phillips , S . VV . ; W . Hopkins , J . W . ; A . F . Mills , Chap . ; G . Jones , Treas . ; F . J . Kerr , Sec ; ] . E . Griffith , S . D . j M . Whittington , J . D . j J . Church ,

Org . j G . Palmer , I . G . ; VV . Bedford , D . C j J . D . Porter and J . D . Llewellyn , Stewards j and Thos . Wall , Tyjer . The lodge was then closed , when the brethren adjourned to the Castle Hotel , and sat down to the annual banquet , which the hostess , Mrs . Andrews , had provided in her usual recherche style .

After the good things were removed , and the usual toasts drunk , Bros . Grant , P . M ., G . Palmer , J . Peckover , VV . Bedford , M . Whittington , and R . A . Browning enlivened the evening with some capital songs , and a very enjoyable evening was spent . Mr . T . Hutchin ' s celebrated string band was in attendance , and gave great satisfaction .

NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE . Walker Lodge ( No . I 342 ) .--The installation meeting of the above large and flourishing lodge took place in the lodge rooms , Grainger-street West , on Wednesday , the 12 th inst . The following brethren were present : Bros . John Patterson , W . M . j John Taylor Schollar , I . P . M . j "j . VV . Robson , S . W . j Isaac Taylor , J . VV . ; Alderson

Barker , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B ., Treas . ; F . W . Sykes , Sec ; William Mevin , S . D . ; T . Wright , J . D . ; J . W . Mathews , P . M ., P . G . Std . Br ., D . C ; Matthew Murray , Org . ; VV . L . Debenham , I . G . ; W . E . Slater , Stwd . ; Joshua Curry , Tyler ; Robert Brooks , John Watson , VV . A . Leadbitter , J . R . Cummins , John Brown , P . M . ; VV . Anderson , Henry Spittle , P . M ., P . P . A . G . D . C ; J . H . Robson , A . C . C .

Ranhaut , H . A . Liven , James Cooper , VV . Smith , P . M ., P . P . G . S . of W .: Councillor J . D . Annan , P . M . P . P . G . S . of W . j W . Cooper , P . M ., P . P . J . G . D . ; J . Cooper , and T . Whitfield . There were also the following visitors : Bros . ] ohn Wood , P . M . 48 and 1712 j VV . Brown , VV . M . 4 S j George Blair , S . VV . 991 j P . Sanfer , 1597 j M . Lotinga , S . W . 406 j Arthur Scott , W . M . 1 G 7 G ; Faraday

Spence , P . M . 1557 , P . S . G . W . ; J . Heppell , P . M . 1970 , P . P . D . G . D . C . Durham ; J . G . Greene , P . M . 424 , P . P . G . Std . Br ., P . G . D . C . Durham ; Thomas Lewens , S . VV . 16 7 6 , 393 ; B . Smailes , P . M . 541 ; W . Dorman , Sec . 406 ; T . Watson , I . G . 406 j J . U . Simpson , S . D . 406 J John A . Armstrong , J . VV . 1 G 6 4 J Robert Wilson , W . M . 166 4 j VV . E . Marker , S . W . 24 ; Col . Addison Potter , C . B ., P . M .

991 , P . P . S . G . W ., P . G . D . Lng . j Alfred Lanes , 10 S 5 J VV . | . Jobson , S . D . 4 8 j Louis Zolliner , 3 G and 16 7 6 j VV . Dalrymple , I . P . M . 48 ; F . Turnbull , Stwd . 4 S 1 ; J . Armstrong , P . M . 1119 , P . P . G . D . C . ; H . M . Smellie , 1119 ; C . Baskerville , 1119 ; J . Robinson , S . W . 1119 ; Charles B . Ford , P . M . 4 S 1 , P . P . G . D . ; Errington Dunford , P . M .

406 , P . P . A . G . D . C ; A . P . Farthing , S . D . 24 ; Charles Spearman , 1427 ; John Page , P . M . 406 , P . P . J . G . W . j T . Dunnington , P . M . 4 S 1 , P . P . G . D . C . j M . Watson , VV . M . 481 j E . Turnbull , P . M . 4 S 1 j T . Smith , P . M . 991 j and A . Currie , P . M . 97 . After the minutes had been read and confirmed , the annual

Provincial Meetings.

financial statement was submitted , which showed that there was a balance in the hands of the Treasurer and invested of about £ 160 . This was deemed satisfactory , as also the fact that good work had been done in the past year . The membership of the lodge had hardly been maintained , owing to the iarge number struck off the books for arrears . In spite of that it competes strongly with other lodges in

Newcastle in point of membership , efficiency , and popularity . Bro . Robert Ferry , 48 , was elected a joining brother . The ceremony of installation was next proceeded with , Bro . John Patterson , VV . M ., being the Installing Master , and he performed his work in an able , efficient , and impressive manner . 'I he W . M . elect , Bro . John VV . Robson , having been presented , was inducted into the chair of

K . S . The following brethren were invested as officers for the ensuing year : Bros . J . Patterson , I . P . M . ; J . Taylor , S . VV . ; F . VV . Sykes , J . VV . ; A . Barker , P . M ., Treas . ; VV . L . Debenham , Sec . j VV . E . Slater , S . D . j M . Murray , J . D . ; J . T . Schollar , P . M ., D . C ; R . Ferry , Org . ; John Watson , I . G . ; C . G . Binks and VV . Anderson , Stwds . ; and J . Currie , Tyler . The three addresses were

delivered by Bro . A . Barker , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B ., in admirable style and feeling . "Hearty good wishes" were then tendered by Bro . Faraday Spence , P . S . G . W ., on behalf of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Northumberland , and the W . M . and brethren of local lodges , and the lodge was closed . In the evening the annual festival was celebrated in the

"Emmerson" Banqueting Hall , Crown Hotel , the W . M ., Bro . John VV . Robson , presiding . __ The dinner was attended by nearly 100 members of the Craft , and was of a very recherche character . The toasts of "The Queen , " "H . R . H . the Prince of

Wales , G . M . of England , " "The Prov . G . M ., Bro . Sir M . VV . Ridley , Bart , M . P . ; the D . P . G . M ., Bro . R . H . Holmes ; and the Officers of the Prov . Grand Lodge of Northumberland , " were submitted by the W . M ., and the jast-named was ably responded to by Bros . Dunford , Dinning , and others .

Bro . Annan , P . M ., gave the toast of "The Officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Durham , " to which Bro . J . Armstrong replied . Bros . R . Wilson , VV . M . 1664 j VV . Watson , P . M . 4 S 1 ; Wm . Brown , VV . M . 48 ; and T . Smith , P . M . 991 , made each good speeches on behalf of " The Visiting Brethren . " "The W . M . ' s Health" was drunk after an eloquent

speech by Bro . Patterson , the retiring Master , and feelingly replied to . Bro . H . Spittle , P . M ., proposed the toast of "The Installing Master , " and eulogised his work that day and during the past year . Bro . A . Barker responded to the toast of "The P . M . ' s of the Walker Lodge , " and Bro . J . Taylor , S . W ., to that of "The Officers . "

Bro . J . Brown , P . M ., in a beautiful little speech , gave "The Masonic Charities . " The proceedings were interspersed by social harmony of the most talented order , the festival throughout being one of the most successful Craft functions that has taken place in the city for years past .

PARKGATE . Dee Lodge ( No . 1576 ) . —The first meeting of this energetic and vigorous lodge after the winter recess was held on Thursday , the 6 th inst ., at the Union Hotel . The VV . M ., Bro . Joseph Clarke , presided , and a numerous attendance included Bros . G . B . Richmond , I . P . M . j S . W . Ramsden , P . M ., P . S . G . D . ; Hon . H . Halbrook , P . D . G . M . British Columbia j J . Morris , P . M ., Treas . j W . Jones , P . M ., D . C . ; G . F . Bird , P . M . ; and others .

I he minutes of the last regular meeting having been confirmed , a ballot was taken for Mr . VV . Mason , which proving unanimous , he was duly initiated by the VV . M ., whose rendering of the ceremony was all that could be desired . The charge was delivered by the S . W ., Bro . R . Hawkins , in a style which commanded the admiration of the lodge . Before the close of the lodge the Treasurer ,

Bro . J . Morris , P . M ., read a communication respecting the commutation scheme for Bro . Binckes' retiring annuity , and proposed that the lodge do not vote the sum of £ 2 ios . asked for , at the same time commenting severely on the maladministration of the School during the last few years . Bro . G . F . Bird , P . M ., seconded the proposition . Bro . G . B . Richmond , I . P . M ., called attention to the fact

that by the terms of his appointment Bro . Binckes could not be removed from the position which he held . He quite agreed with the remarks that had been made respecting the maladministration of the past , and in order that that maladministration might no lonsrer exist , it was obviously necessary that those responsible for it should no longer occupy important positions in connection with the School .

So strongly was this felt that , with the exception of Bro . Binckes , a practicallylentirely fresh staff had been appointed . But Bro . Binckes could not be removed , so that , unless he resigned , he held a life tenure of the very important position of Secretary to the School , and it was certainly not to the advantage of the Institution that he should continue to occupy it . Bro . Binckes was quite willing to resign , on

condition that a suitable provision was made for him . To say the least of it it would not be a credit to the Craft if a sum of £ 250 per annum were to be annually paid from the funds of one of its Charities as a pension , and it was to avoid this that the present scheme was devised . He would not move an amendment to the proposition before them , but he would suggest as a compromise that the £ 2 ios . be

voluntarily subscribed by the members of the lodge . Bro . S . VV . Ramsden , P . D . S . G ., said one very important fact should not be lost sight of , and that was that the money had already been paid , as Bro . Tew had given a cheque for the whole amount , relying on the fraternal feeling of the Craft to repay him . Ultimately , on the motion of the I . P . M ., the following

proposition was carried " That this lodge , while regretting the necessity for raising the sum of £ 2 , 500 to provide an annuity for Bro . Binckes , and not agreeing with the principle thereof , resolves to contribute its proportion thereto , viz : £ 2 ios . j such sum to be raised by the voluntary subscription of the brethren . " The sum ' of £ 2 ios . was in the course of the evening subscribed by those present .

At the close of the business a substantial repast was served by Mrs . Aston , to which full justice was done , and a very enjoyable evening was spent .