Masonic Intelligence.

PALATINE LODGE , BISHOP WEAUMOUTII ( N O . 114 ) . —The annual meeting of the brethren of this Lodge , was held at the Bridge Hotel , on Thursday , Dec . 14 , when . Br . R . T . Wilkinson was duly installed W . M . for the ensuing year ; and was pleased to appoint Brs . J . M . Smith , S . W . ; B . Brooks , J . W . ; E . Smith , Tr . ; St . Jno-Crookes , S . ; R . A . Johnson , S . D . ; B . Levy , J . D . ; F . Rahn , I . G . ; Wm . Laws , Tyler .. ST . HILDA ' LOOSE , SOUTH SHIELDS ( N O . 292 ) . —The brethren of this Lodge metin the Lodge-room on Monday , the 18 th December , for . the appointment of officers

for the ensuing year , and the following brethren were appointed officers : —Br . Hen . Johnson was installed W . M . ; J . Robb , P . M . ; H . Hudson , S . W . ; S . Simon , J . W . ; . R . S . Foster , S . D . ; J . Hunter , J . D . ; J . J . Oliver , G . G . ; W . Ridey , S . S . ; J . RWaker , J . S . ; and Thomas Ripjxm Tyler . ESSEX . LOCGE OF GOOD FELLOWSHIP CHELMSFORD ( NO . 343 ) . —The annual festival

, of this Lodge was held on Thursday , at the Shire Hall , when Br . Capt . S . J . Skinner , R . A ., D . P . G . M . for Essex , was installed as W . M . for tho ensuing year—this beingthe second time ^ the same honourable office has been conferred upon the gallant captain . The ceremony was well performed by Br . Peter Matthews , P . M ., No . 11 . A banquet , at the White Hart Hotel , followed tho above proceedings , when a goodly muster did ample justice to the catering of Br . Andrew Dun-ant , ancl spent a merry evening in a style peculiar to the Craft .

HAMPSHIRE . PORTSMOUTH LODGE ( NO . 717 )' . —On the evening of Thursday , Dec . 16 , the members of this Lodge gave a grand banquet in their Lodge room , High-street Portsmouth , to the brethren of the Phoenix Lodge ( No . 319 ) , Portsmouth , and the Royal Sussex Lodge ( No . 428 ) , Portsea . The W . M . for the year , Mr . Thos . BatcheJor , presided , supported by the W . M ' s of the two Lodges , with their P . M's and officers

About forty brethren sat down to a magnificient banquet , provided by Br . Crofts , of the George Hotel , High-street . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts followed the removal of the cloth , and several of the members of the naval and military services being present , the brethren did not think it a departure from Masonic principles , to give utterance to those sentiments of patriotic enthusiasm which the stirring incidents of the day so naturally inspire . The evening was spent in a manner that elicited the kindliest feelings on the part of all present ; and such interchanges of social and hospitable feeling , cannot fail to foster and cherish a regard for the principles of Masonry , which are becoming so generally appreciated in these towns .

KENT . UNION LODGE , MARGATE ( NO . 149 ) . —At the last meeting of this Lodge , it was resolved to present £ IQ 10 * . from the Lodge funds , in aid of the Patriotic Fund , an example which will be doubtless liberally followed throughout the county . MONMOUTHSHIRE . SILURIAN LODGENEWPORT ( No . 693 ) . —On St . John ' s dayDec . 27 the

mem-, , ,, bers of this Lodge assembled at the Westgate Hotel , when Br . R . G . Thomas , Architect , was duly installed W . M . for the ensuing year . The following are the officers appointed for the ensuing year : —Brs J . Hyndman , S . W . ; T . W . Nicholas , J . W . ; E . Wells , Treasurer ; W . Williams , Secretary ; J . II . Davies , S . D . ; J . C . Nicholas , J . D . ; G . W . Jones , J . G . ; H . J . Groves , orgt . ; J . S . Sidebotham , Chaplain ; W . McFec , Tyler . The Brethren afterwards dined together at the Westgate Hotel , when a number of Masonic toasts were drank and enthusiastically responded to .

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE . NORTHAMPTON CHAPTER ( NO . 463 ) . —A convocation of this Chapter was held on the 30 th Nov ., at the Assembly Rooms , Northampton , when Comp . C . Elkington ,