Provincial.

PROVINCIAL .

BERKS AND BUCKS . PROVIKOIAE GEAXD LODGE . On Friday afternoon , the Freemasons of Berks aud Bucks , to the number of about seventy , assembled at Aylesbury for the purpose of holding their annual Provincial Grand Lodge , at which the presentation of reports from the different lodges in the province , the appointment of officers for the ensuing year , and other business was transacted

The brethren from Berkshire arrived at Aylesbnry by special train , kindly granted hy the directors of the Great " AVestern Railway Company , and at one o'clock tho Provincial Grand Lodge was opened in duo form at the Assembly Booms , under the presidency of the Prov . G . M . Bro . Sir Daniel Gooch , Bart ., M . P ., who was supported by Bro . Sir J . AVarren Hayes , Bart ., Dep . Prov . G . M . ; Bro . R . J . Spiers , Dep . Prov . G . M . for Oxfordshire ; Bro . the Eev . T . Barton , Prov . G . Chap . ; Bro . th

Eev . T . 0 . Grace , etc . There were also present the following brethren , most of whom hold high positions in the province or in their respective lodges . Bros . AV . Bisrgs ( Prov . G . Sec . ); Holden ( Prov . G . Treas . ); AV . AV . Hodges , " AV . H . Cave , J . W . Hounslow , H . D'Almaiue , AV . Hodges , A . 11 . Simpson , AV . C . Bland , G . Chancellor , J Ellis , R . C . Hurlev , R . Bradley , F . G . Hall , G . J . Cosburn , E . J . Tabor , G . Ra ' tcliffe , AV . AVebb , S . Jacob , King , W . J . Beauchamp , J . Williams , B . Fielder , J . Bance , T . Deller , R . B . Hollyer , J . Adams , J . T . C . Winkfield , AV . H . Baker , A . L . Taylor , H . 0 . Lewis , J . W . Dover , E . AVotton , AV . Hoblyn , C . A . Linpincott , S . G . Payne , T . Haddon ,

C . P . AVhiskin , E . Wood , W . II . Herbert , G . M . Knight , Fred . Bland , AV . Ford , J . AVhitehouse , Marriott , Tolley , Briggs , Mortimer , G . II . Palmer , Grissbrook , C . AA . Scriven , J . McCubben , H . Poynder , T . Cook , Bolton , H . J . Gooch , R . E . Alexander . & c . The Prov . G . M ., addressing the brethren , said he was pleased to be able to congratulate them upon the steady progress of Freemasonry , forty-five members having been added during the

past year . He trusted that the various lodges had been careful in admitting those only who would do honour to the Craft . He proceeded to explain the circumstances under which the charity fund had recently been established , expressing his hope that all the lodges iu the province would regularly contribute to it , and thus afford systematic aid to the valuable Charities connected with the Order . Sir Daniel called attention to the newlyprinted book of bye-laws , with a history of the province , which had been

carefully compiled by the Prov . G . Sec . ( Bro . Biggs . ) Ho was sure all the brethren were delighted thafc the first public act of the Prince of Wales , as a Freemason , was performed in their own province when his Eoyal Highness laid the principal stone of the Reading Schools , on which occasion so many Grand Officers were also present . In conclusion , Sir Daniel Gooch said he hoped the Jlasons throughout the province would continue to work together with that harmony , which was so essential to the prosperity of the Craft . It was then moved , seconded , and carried unanimously , that Bro . Holden be re-elected Treasurer .

Ihe Prov . G . Sec . read the reports from the different lodg which were in all respects satisfactory . _ The Prov . G . Treas . presented a statement of receipts and disbursements , showing a balance in hand of about £ 113 . On the motion of the Prov . G . M ., seconded hy Bro . J . T . Morland , it was unanimously resolved that the sum of twenty guineas be presented to the Charity fund . Sir Daniel Gooch then appointed the Prov . Grand Officers for the

ensuing year , and duly invested them with their regalia , as follows : —Bros . T . AVilliams , P . M . 591 , S . W . ; Geo . Chancellor , AV . M . 1101 , J . W . ; Rev . Thomas Barton , 574 , Chaplain ; Eev . 0 . G . Grace , P . M . 591 , Junior Chaplain ; E . Bradley , AV . M . 414 , Registrar ; W . Biggs , P . M . 574 , Secretary ; J . McCubben , W . M . 948 , S . D . ; AV . Hedges . W . M . 945 , J . D . ; G . Eedcliffe , AV . M . 840 , G . D . C ; F . G . Hall , P . M . 547 , A . D . C . ; E . Grisbrook , AV . M . 771 S . AV . G . H . Palmer 771 OrganistHPovnder 048

, ; , , ; . , , Pursuivant ; J . AVhitehouse , Supt . of AVorks . Stewards : 3 ros . Lawson , Winkfield , Whiskin , Payne , Haddon , and Lippcncott . Tylers : Bros . Hemmings and Noneh . The lodge having been closed in the customary manner , the brethren adjourned to the George Hotel , aud partook of a sumptuous banquet , served in a very satisfactory manner .

Bros . Marriott , Tolley , Briggs , and Mortimer , carried oufc tho musical arrangements , and their performances were loudly applauded . Dessert having been introduced , The Chairman ( Sir Daniel Gooch ) proposed " The Queen and the Craft ; " aud next , " The Right Hon . the Earl de Grey and Ripon , the M . AV . G . M . his Royal Highness the Prince of AVales , and the Right . Hon . tho Earl of Zetland , Past Grand Master

of the Grand Lodge of England . " Tho Chairman then proposed " The health of the Right Hon . ' die Earl of Carnarvon , Deputy Grand Master , and the Grand Officers of the Grand Lodge of England , Past and Present , " for whom Bro . E . J . Spiers , P . G . S . B . of the Grand Lodge of England , who gave the brethren a cordial invitation to visit the Masons afc Oxford . The Dep . Prov . G . M . ( Rev . Sir John AA arren Hayes ) then

rose , aud said the pleasing and honorable duty devolved upon him of proposing-the health of their worthy P . G . M . He was not afc all surprised to find the brethren receiving this toast with acclamation , and be felt quite convinced that the longer Sir Daniel resided among them and filled the high office he held at present , the greater reason they would have for according to him a hearty reception . Their Chairman had very important and responsible duties to performnot onlin connection with

, y Masonry , but also in Parliament ; and yet Sir Daniel always felt great pleasure in making ifc convenient to come among his brethren , not only in Provincial Grand Lodge , but also in the different lodges throughout the province . They had , indeed , great reason to congratulate themselves upon the progress of Masonry in this province since it had been presided over by their worthy brother , Sir Daniel Gooch . He begged to thank Sir Daniel for the good he had effected as Grand Master of

the province , and hoped he would long be spared to preside over them . The Chairman , in responding , said he felt he could do little or nothing by himself , and that what good was done must be accomplished by the united action of himself and the brethren throughout tho province . It was necessary that they should all work together harmoniously to advance the great objects which

they all had at heart . When appointed to preside over this province he heard a murmur of differences existing betsveeu the brethren of Buckinghamshire and those of Berkshire . As Grand Master he knew no difference , aud ifc was his duty not to know any . He was glad , however , to find thafc such a feeling as that he had just alluded to had entirely passed away , and they had that day assembled in Aylesbury , and the brethren there had given them a kind and hearty reception , for which , in the namo

of them all , he offered their thanks . He hoped that individually aud collectively the brethren would aid him in carrying oufc the great and good works for the advancement of which they professed to be formed , namely , the welfare of mankind . He was gratified to see Alasonry prospering in the province ; and in conclusion he thanked the brethren for the king manner in which they had received the toast . The Chairman again roseand in complimentary terms

pro-, posed the health of the Deputy Grand Master , Sir J . AV . Hayes , who , in replying , assured the brethren that any services that he could render would be gladly given to promote the interests of Freemasonry . The Chairman proposed as tho next toast * ' The Masonic Charities , " and urged all the brethren to contribute , through their respective lodges , to the Charity Fund , his ambition being thafc Berks and Bucks should stand second to no other province in

the amount of aid afforded to the Masonic charities . Let them drink success to the noble institutions connected with the Order , and also determine that so far as they were concerned , those institutions should bo attended with prosperitj ' . To fche health of " The Visitors , " next proposed by tbe Chairman , Bro . Bolton responded . The Chairman next proposed the health of the Provincial Grand Secretary and Provincial Grand Treasurerand spoke of

, the labour and zeal of Brother Biggs , without whose assistance he ( Sir Daniel ) w rdd have been as a lost sheep . There could be no doubt that a great deal of the success that had characterised Maronry in this province was due to the untiring exirtioiis of Bro . Biggs . Bro . Holden and Bro . Biggs severally returned thanks . Tbe Chairman next proposed the health of the AVorshipful ifaster , Officers , and Brethren ofthe Buckingham Lodge . and the