Provincial Lodges.

Prior to the dinner several new members were initiated into Masonic mysteries , including Col . Lloyd Vaughan Watkins , M . P ., Lord Lieutenant of the county of Brecon , James Bowen , Esq ., barrister-at-law , Lieutenant Bird , 11 th Hussars .

STAFFORDSHIRE . SUTHERLAND LODGE OF UNITY , NEAVOASTLE-UNDER-LYME ( NO . 674 ) . —The brethren of this Lodge assembled at the Castle Hotel , Newcastle-under-Lyne , on the 5 th Jan ., for the purpose of installing Br . Thomas Mason , jun ., as W . M . for the ensuing year . The R . W . Br . Thomas Ward , Esq ., D . P . G . M ., performed the ceremony of installation in a most impressive and correct manner . In the evening the brethren sat down to a sumptuous banquet provided bBrs . Venables and Swift .

y The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given , and the brethren seperated at an early hour . NOAH ' S ARK LODGE , TIPTON ( NO . 435 ) . —This highly respectable Lodge , consisting principally of gentlemen engaged in the coal and iron trade of the district , celebrated the festival of St . John , on Friday Dec . 29 . After tbe installation of Br . Gwynne , W . M ., and the appointment of Brs . Howelts , S . W . ; E . S . Creswell , J . W . . Millward , Treasurer , & c , several brethren manifested their zeal and love of Masonry ,

by presenting the Lodge with a UBAV banner , carpet , tracing boards , jewels , & c . Upwards of twenty members sat clown to a most excellent dinner , and a most agreeable and harmonious evening was spent . MENUBIA LODGE , HANLEY ( NO . 606 ) . —The St . John ' s Festival and celebration , of the Jubilee Masonry in Hanley , took place on Tuesday , Jan . 2 , when the Rev . W . H . Wright , Provincial Grand Chaplain , was duly installed W . M . for 1855 , the R . W . Col . VernonP . G . M . acting as Installing Mastersupported bthe R . W . Thomas

, , , y Ward , Esq ., D . P . G . M . The banquet was held at the Saracen's Head Hotel . Col , Vernon stated he had undertaken the office of Installing Master as a special compliment to the profession of the new W . M ., and the members for their praiseworthy efforts to revive a Lodge Avhich had almost gone to decay . The Lodge closed in harmony at 10 , after spending a most agreeable evening . Many visitors from the P . G . Lodge , & c , Avere present . WALSALL . —The annual Masonic Ball was held on Friday evening , January 19 , in

the Guildhall Assembly Room , and went off with its usual spirit and eclat . The elegance of the ladies , the dresses of the brethren , ancl tho Masonic decorations of the room , which were the theme of general admiration , combined to make this , as before , "the most brilliant" ball of the season . Dancing commenced at half-past nine o ' clock to the lively strains of Harvey and Synyor ' s clebrated Quadrille Band , and if we may judge from the vigour with which it ivas continued until five o ' clock on the following morning , ancl the delight and satisfaction which beamed on every face , neA'or was there spent a more pleasant evening . The proceeds of the ball on this occasion will be devoted to the Patriotic Fund instead of the Masonic charities , as usual . There were 180 present , and the committee will be enabled to present to the Fund £% 5 .

WORCESTERSHIRE . HARMONIC LODGE DUDLEY ( NO . 313 ) . —This Lodge , at its monthly meeting on 2 nd Jan , celebrated the festival of St . John the Evangelist . Br . Bristow , S . W ., the W . M . elect , was duly installed W . M . for the ensuing year , the ceremony being ably performed by the R . W . Br . Masefield , P . M . There were two initiations and two passings , ancl ten guineas were voted from the funds of the Lodge to the Patriotic

Fund , in answer to the appeal of the R . W , Br . H . C . Vernon , P . G . M ., Worcestershire . WORCESTER LODGE ( NO . 349 ) . —The members of this Lodge dined together in honour of the same Festival , at the Bell Hotel , on Thursday , 28 th Dec , presided over by the W , M ., R . P . Hill , Esq . An elegant entertainment was provided . SEMPER FIDELIS , WORCESTER ( NO . 772 ) . — On the 1 st of Jan . the members of this Lodge dined together at their Lodge room , at the Crown Hotel , in celebration of the Festival of St . John the Evangelist . The W . M . Thomas Clutterbuck presided , on the occasion .