Provincial Priory Of Staffordshire, Warwickshire, And Leicestershire.

The Provincial Pibr appointed his officers for the ensuing year as Wo . vs : Sir Knig ht T . L . Warren ... ••••¦¦ Prov . Sub-Prior . „ Rev . W . T . Parkins ... ... Prov . Prelate .

„ W . H . Marsden ... ... Prov . Chancellor . „ J . T . Spalding | Prov . Constable . ,, G . C . Kent ... ... ... ) ,, C A . Newnham ... ... Prov . Treasurer . „ Lieut .-Col . G . W . Walker ... ... Prov . Registrar . „ Sir Thomas Roe ... ... Prov . Vice-Chancellor

„ Lieut .-Col . Newton ... ... Prov . Marshal . „ H . Loveridge ... ... ... Prov . Almoner . „ J . T . Howson ... ... ... Prov . W . of Regalia . ,, J . H . Lawson ... ... ... Prov . Herald .

AH . Hibbert [ Prov . Std . Brs . „ Montague Stone ... ... ) „ J . W . Roberts ... ... ... Prov . Banner Bearer . ,, E . T . Milthorp ... ... ... Prov . Sword Bearer . ,, J . E . Harrison .., ... ... Prov . Capt . of Guard . One of the most successful meetings of the Provincial Priory was brought to a conclusion by a banquet at the Royal Hotel , Derby , under the

presidency of the Provincial Prior , at which the Grand Master expressed his pleasure at being present and that he was extremely gratified with the muster of the knig hts and the reception he had received .

The Druidical Lodge At Rotherham.

THE DRUIDICAL LODGE AT ROTHERHAM .

In our last Christmas number we published a brief account of the formation of this lodge under the auspices of the Grand Lodge of all England at York . Bro . Whytehead sends us extracts from the returns made to York extending over a couple of years or thereabouts . What happened subsequently is open to conjecture . As the Vork Grand Lodge soon after ceased to work it seems probable that its children would not be vcry active . There may , however , be some entries of

mee ' . ings still in existence , and perhaps our Rotherham brethren may have in their lodge treasures some memoranda that may throw light upon thc subject . Although the Druidical Lodge began work under apparently favourable auspices it does not appear to have enjoyed smooth water and plain sailing during its somewhat brief existence . From the returns of the lodge sent to York , we gather that several meetings were held and work done .

28 th December , 1778 . —Mr . James Hamer , and Mr . VVm . Eastfield Laughton , and Mr . Richard Thomas were ordered to be admitted .

4 th January , 1779 .- —Bro . Alderson and Bro . Chambers were raised to the Degree of M . M ., and Bro . Laughton and Bro . Thomas were made E . A . and

F . C . 22 nd January , 1779 . —Hro . Drake , Bro . Charlton , and Bro . Cousins , were raised to the Degree of M . M ., John Parker was proposed to be admitted a member of this Society .

26 th February , 1779 . —Mr . Cooke , of Swinton , was admitted E . A . and F . C , and Mr . Joshua Lee , of Conisbrough , was proposed by Bro . Hassall , to be admitted a brother of this Society and made a deposit ot half-a-guinea with the Treasurer , And it is ordered that for the future no person proposed shall be balloted for without first making a like deposit .

26 th March , 1770 . —This night Mr . Joshua Lee was admitted H . A . and F . C . whereas Mr , James Hamer was , on 28 th December last , at his own request , proposed by Bro . Holdsworth to be admitted a Bro . of this Society , and was ballotei for and unanimously approved of as such , but has never since applied for his admission , and has , as this lodge has been informed , procured himself to be admitted a brother of a Society of Modern Maceons at Sheffield . It is ordered

In case this Society shall hereafter be satisfied that such information is tru " , that the said James Hamer shall be for ever expelled from this lodge ; and excluded from this Society either as a member or a visiting brother . And it is further ordered that upon such satisfaction being given notice of this resolution and order shall be transmitted to him by the Tyler , signed by the Master and Wardens protempore of this lodge .

23 rd April , 1779 . —Mr . David Berry , of Tickhill , was proposed by Bro . Laughton and made the deposit . Bro . Holdsworth was raised M . M . Ordered that Bro . Williams the next time he attended this lodge be severely reprimanded from the chair for his late unMasonic behaviour at Conisbrough at the house of Bro . Lee , and such penalty inflicted upon him for it as the majority of the members then present shall think proper and that he be summon'd to attend next lodge night upon pain of expulsion .

28 th May , 1779 . —Mr . David Berry was balloted for and rejected and his deposit returned . Mr , Josiah Lumb , of Wakefield , was proposed by Bro . Beckwith to be admitted . Also Bro . Laughton proposed a second time Mr . David Berry and it is ordered th . t his name be hung up in some conspicuous place in the lodge room three successive lodge nights unless sooner determined . Also the order made 26 th March last , respecting Mr . James Hamer , was carried into

execution . Also it is ordered that Bro . Jackson and Bro . Cousins be summoned to attend next lodge night upon pain of expulsion . Bro . Edwd . Williams having been summoned to attend this lodge in pursuance of an order made last lodge night upon pain of expulsion ; he having neglected so to do and it being put to the ballot and a majority of nine votes to two being for his expulsion , it is ordered that he be expelled accordingly ,

24 th June , 1779 , — Ihe order made concerning Mr . Josiah Lumb , last lodge was postponed until the next lodge . The order concerning Mr . David Berry was likewise postponed until next lodge . Ordered that a by-law be made and entered in the minute book concerning the closing of the lodge , and another on the penalty of speaking disrespectfully of the lodge , taken from Urb . Calcott ' s Disquisition of Freemasonry , pages 210 and 217 . The lodge proceeded to the

election of new officers , when Bro . Beckwith was re-elected R . W . M ., and appointed Bro . D . akeD . M . ; Bro . Wilkinson , S . W . ; Bro . Flint , J . W . ; Bro . Medlam , re-elected T . ; Bro . Holdsworth , S . ; and Bro . Chambers , Tyler . Bro . Jackson having been summoned to attend this lodge in pursuance of an order made last lodge night , upon pain of expulsion , he having neglected to do so , and it being put to the ballot , and a majority of eight votes to two being for his expulsion , it is ordered that he be expelled accordingly .

29 th June , 1779 . —This night Bro . Laughton and Bro . Glass were raised to M . M . 25 th July , 1779 . — Mr , Josiah Lumb , of Wakefield , was balloted for and approv d , and admitted E . A . and F . C . Bro . Moses and Bro . Thomas proposed themselves to be raised M . M . Ordered that Bro . Hassall and Bro . Lee be sum-

The Druidical Lodge At Rotherham.

moned to attend next lodge night to make good their charge against Bro . Williams upon pain of expulsion . Bro . Laughton having a second time proposed Mr . David Berry to be made a brother , but finding , him an unworthy person , craves leave to withdraw his proposal ; accordingly it is withdrawn . 27 th August , 1779 . —Bro . Thomas was raised M . M . Upon hearing the several allegations in the charge against Bro . Williams by Bro . Hassall and Bro . Lee , and

Bro . Williams' defence thereto , it was ordered to be put to the ballot whether Bro . Williams should be continued , expelled or not , and by a majority of nine votes to two , he stmds accordingly expelled . Bro . Wilkinson proposed Mr . Anthony Frith , cf Rotherham , to be admitted abrother . Bro . Hassall , on behalf of Mr . Parker , Mr . Kay , and Mr . Berside , of Doncaster , made a motion to this lodge to petition the same for a recommendation for a set of Constitutions from the Grand Lodge of Y " ork .

24 th September , 1779—The motion made by Mr . Hassall for a lodge to be holden at Doncaster stands postponed until the next lodge . Mr . Anthony Firth was ballotted for and approved of , and made E . A . and F . C . A motion was this night made by Bro . Williams for his re-admission into this lodge . It was agreed that it be put to the ballot whether or not the matters in dispute should be referred to the Grand Lodge at York to have their opinion , and upon a majority of nine votes to two being for their opinion , it is ordered that he stand expelled until

their opinion can be had . 22 nd October , 1779 . —Bro . Hassall withdrew his motion respecting the petition for Doncaster . Bro . Lee proposed himself to be raised M . M . Bro . Moses was raised M . M . 2 . 6 th November , 1779 . —Bro . Lee was raised M . M . Bro . Drake gave notice for withdrawing himself as a member . ( At this time the lodge was held at the Red Lion , Rotherham . )

27 th December , 1779 . —Treasurer ' s accounts audited . Bro . Beckwith passed the chair to Bro . Wilkinson , who chose Bro . Beckwith , D . M . ; Bro . Flint , S . W . ; Bro . Holdsworth , J . W . ; Bro . Moses , Sec . ; and the lodge continued Bro . Midlam , TreaF . Bro . Firth was proposed to be raised M . M . Quarterly subscription reduced to Ss . per member . 28 th January , 17 S 0 . —Letter from G . S . at York respecting returns . Secretary ordered to send 2 s . 6 d . tor last year ' s contributions , with an apology . Ordered

that clergymen shall be made without expense , but pay quarterly subscriptions . Rev . Mr . Bailiff , of Greasbrough , proposed by the W . M ., and Rev . Mr . Burton , of Rotherham , by Bro . Holdsworth . 25 th February , 1780 . —Bro . Laughton gave notice of withdrawal as a member . 24 th March , 1780 . —Rev . Matthew Dickson , of Tickhill , was proposed at a lodge of emergency and approved of . At the regular lodge , the same evening , he was made E . A . and F . C ; Bro . Firth was raised M . M . ; Rev . Thomas Tennant was proposed ; Bro . Midlam gave notice of withdrawal as a member .

28 th April , 1780 . —Rev . Thomas Tennant , of Rotherham , was elected and made E . A . and F . C . 26 th May , 17 S 0 . —Ordered that supper for 10 members at is . each be prepared for next lodge night at S . o , being the anniversary ot St . John Baptist . 23 rd June , 1780 . —Bro . Dixon and Bro . Tennant raised M . M . ; Rev . Beaumont Broadbent , of Maltby , proposed by Bro . Firth . The lodge elected Bro . Flint to the chair , and he appointed Bro . Holdsworth , S . W . ; Bro . Midlam , J . W . ; and Bro . Laughton , Sec . Bro . Firth was elected Treas .

28 th July , 1780 . —Rev . B . Broadbent w '^ s approved and made E . A . and F . C , and prayed the lodge to make him M . M . next lodge night . Treasurer ' s accounts passed . 25 th August , 1780 . —Rev . B . Broadbent raised M . M . Bro . Edward Williams prayed to be readmitted a member , and promised to be guilty of no irregularities in future , and was unanimously readmitted .

22 nd September , 1780 . —Treasurer to repay 5 s . to the R . W . M . which he gave to a poor widow in distress . Bros . Beckwith , Flint , Holdsworth , and Cousins gave notice of withdrawal . 27 th October , 17 S 0 . —Bye-law made that any Antient York Maccon in distress proving himself to be so to the satisfaction of the Master and Wardens ; they shall relieve him with any sum not exceeding Ss .

24 th November , 17 S 0 . —Notice given to Bro . Dixon to prepare a sermon on Maceonry and preach the same in the parish church , with permission of the Vicar , on the next S . John the Evangelist's Day after the forenoon service . Ordered that every brother do attend at Bro . Charltin ' s the same day at 10 o ' clock in the morning , and be ready to proceed in procession to the church , properly clothed and with white gloves , and that a dinner be prepared for 14 persons , to be upon table precisely at half an hour past one o ' clock .

Josiah Beckwith made a fruitless endeavour in 1779 to persuade the Earl of Effingham to become Grand Master of the Grand Lodge at York . He wrote a letter on the subject to the Grand Lodge , and received a letter of thanks from the Grand Lodge for his efforts . Before Beckwith retired from the lodge he had obtained charters fram York for a Royal Arch chapter and an encampment of Knights Templars . T . B . W .

The Late Fire At The Aire And Calder Lodge Rooms.

THE LATE FIRE AT THE AIRE AND CALDER LODGE ROOMS .

The Aire and Calder Lodgi , No . 458 , may now be fairly congratulate ! in having once more lifted its head after the various disasters which , during the few past years , has befallen it . It will be within the memaryof many of our readers — particularly those of Wes ; Yorkshire and Nor ; h Lincolnshire—that a calamitous fire destroyed everything belonging to their splendid and handsome lodge room and its adjuncts in 1890 . The brethren of No . 458 were literally burnt out of house and home . They met their trouble and difficulties manfully , meeting at

first in the Lowther Hotel commercial roam ; but they improved on this by engaging a small room , which had formerly been used as a temporary chapel . They decorated this , and made it as comfortable as possible , under the circumstances— " biding their time " —and at last have succeeded in securing on a lease a splendid lodge , banquet , and ante-room , over the Custom House , in Stanhope-street . The lodge is well-equipped and decorated , and reminds one , in a great measure , of the beautiful suite destroyed by the disastrous fire seven years

ago . Among the decorations are two handsome frames containing a few relics of the old lodge and furniture , which Bro . Superintendent Harrison , N . R . Constabulary , found among the debris . This worthy brother caused all the heaps of ruins to ba most carefully ex imined , and found a few jewels , and even parts of a leaf and circular in connection with the old lodge , and had them mounted and framed , and they will serve as a memento for ages to come of the former glorious hall .

Bro . Wilson is in full evidence in connection with the ncv lodge , and has been the principal mover in securing atad furnishingthe . se new ant excellent lodge rooms , and we most heartily congratulate him and Bro . Peacock , W . M ., ani all the brethren who have thus helped to restore the glories of the first temple . The first meeting in the new lodge was held , by dispensation , on the ist inst ., but we understand it will be formally dedicated at the annual installation next month .