Provincial.

he hoped that some system of voting by proxy would be introduced , so as to give the provinces a fair share in conducting Grand Lodge business . Bro . Durant , P . M ., said the information convoyed to him in Bro ; Sherry ' s speech had struck him ivith astonishment ; he could not have supposed that tho Grand Registrar had so wrongly acted . Every Mason must know that it was improper for the chief officer to summon certain members to a private meeting , and there make a selection of them and others to constitute the Board of General Purposes . Bro .

Newman made a few observations , expressing his regret that such a course of proceeding should have been adopted . Bro . Sherry ( in reply to Bro . Oakshot , P . M ., ) pointed out that by the Book of Constitutions the Grand Master was in possession of tho power of electing the President of the Board , and ten others , which , added to the Grand Officers , gave the Grand Master the presumed support of seventeen votes , against tho fourteen annually elected iu June by Grand Lodge . Bro . Carter , P . M ., regretted that anything like jealousy should havo

arisen between the London and provincial brethren . The provincial brethren , if they wont up to . London and attended the meetings , could outvote tho others , though ho admitted the difficulty of their attendance . Ho discerned a disposition on the part of the London Lodges to hold fast that power which they had so long exercised . After some little further discussion , Bro . Sherry moved the following resolution : — " That this Lodge very much regrets tho late proceedings of the Grand Registrar , though it excuses him from any party motives . " Bro .

Durant , P . M ., seconded the motion , which was put to the Lodge and carried unanimously . Bro . Carter , PAL , moved another resolution , to the effect that , "In tho future selection of Officers of the Board of General Purposes , a fair share of provincial brethren should be nominated . " This was seconded by Bro . Everitt , P . M ., aud unanimously agreed to . The Lodgo was then closed , after which tho brethren adjourned , as usual , to the festive board , finally separating at the hour of high twelve . [ We are sure , if country brethren can be found to act upon the Board of General Purposes , they will ho gladly elected . —ED . 1

KENT . GRAVKSEKD . —Lodge of Freedom ( No . 01 ) . —The monthly meeting was held on Monday , the 19 th June , at the Town Hall , Bro . E . AVates , AV . M ., in the chair . The brethren proceeded to the election of a Master for the ensuing year , when the choice fell on Bro . Thomas Pottinger , S . AV . Bro . F . W . Dobsou , P . M ., was re-elected Treasurer . On a proposition of Bro . Hildor , P . M ., being brought forward for providing a set of tracing boardsit was moved bBro . Robt . SpencerP . M . and

, y , , resolved , that a sum of five guineas bo given for that purpose . In consequence of the next meeting falling on the same clay as the Prov . Grand Lodge , the installation will take place one week later . The AVAL , Bro . Wates , lias been distinguished during his year of office for the attention he has given to tho working of the Loclge , and has not only maintained its efficiency , but advanced it in estimation , and with the improvement of Masonry in the province . Such exertions are needed to maintain the character of every individual Lodge .

GBAVESEND . —Kent Lodge of Freedom ( No . 91 ) . —This Loclge mot on Thursday , June 30 th , Bro . S . Hi . AVilson presiding as AV . M ., who introduced to the notice of the brethren Bro . Elisha D . Cooke , when that brother , at their request , repeated the ceremonies and lectures as practised in the United States . Bro . S . B . AVilson made a few remarks explanatory of the differences between the American and English systems . A vote of thanks was ordered to be recorded on the minutes to Bro . Elisha D . Cooke , for the very able manner in which he had explained the

lectures and ceremonies , as also for his courtesy in replying to the many questions put to him . Here we will reply to a question asked of us by many Members of the Craft- — " AVho is Bro . Elisha D . Cooke ? " He was initiated into Freemasonry in Chester Lodge ( No . IS ) at Chcsterville , South Carolina ; was exalted to the supreme degree of a R . A . Mason in Franklin Chapter ( Ho . 1-J ) , and also the degree of Royal and Select Master , at tho same place ; about seven months since he was made a Knight Templar in Louisville Encampment ( No . 2 ) at Louisville , Kentucky , ancl admitted to the A . and A . rite of Sublime Princes in the Supreme Consistory Court of the same place ; and is the appointecl Grancl Lecturer to the Lodges in Kentucky .

GiiAVESEm—Lodge of Sympathy ( No . 909 ) . —A meeting of this Lodge was held at the Town Hall , for tlie choice of officers , on Monday , the 19 th ult ., when Bro . Stratford was elected AV . M . for the year ensuing . NORTHUMBERLAND . NEWCAKTI . E-ON-TTNE . —Northern Counties Lodge ( No . fiS 6 ) . —The members met at the Masonic Hall , Bell ' s-court , on Saturday , June 25 th , b

y emergency summonses , to initiate Mr . James Sanderson , who had been previously balloted for and accepted . There were present Bro . Ii . Sanitor , AV . M ., who gave the degree to tho satisfaction of the brethren , it being his first attempt , ablv assisted by Bro . H . Hotham , P . M ., as S . AV ., and the Officers of the Lodge ; Bros . J . Medealf , D . Prov . G . M . ; Wm . Punchon , P . M . ; Geo . AVeatherhead , P . M . ; C . I . Banister , P . M . ; S . Joel , J . H . Vincent , ' ! . Ion , and the members of the Lodge . The Loclge was closed in due form , and tho brethren retired to the supperroom , under the able presidency of the father of Masonry in the north of England , Bro . Punchon , P . M ., who gave the usual loyal and Masonic

toasts which were duly responded to , and the brethren separated at nine o ' clock . STAFFORDSHIRE . UTTOXETEK . —Foresters' Lodge ( No . 070 ) . —A special meeting was held at Uttoxeter , on Thursday , June 30 th , for the purpose of installing as its AVorshipful Master the Hon . AA m . AA arren Vernon . The brethren met at two o ' clock , when Bro . G . Sergeant , Prov . G . Reg . ; P . M ; Nos . 000 ,

and 006 " ( assisted by Bro . Butterworth ) , proceeded to perform thecereinony of installation , which duty he performed in such a manner as to elicit the commendations of the Prov . Grand Master of Staffordshire , and of the Loclge . Tho address to the AV . M . was very impressively given by the D . Prov . G . M ., Bro . AVard . The closing address was beautifully given by the Prov . G . M ., Colonel Vernon , who afterwards congratulated the newly installed Master upon the high and honourable position lie had attainedand the Lodgeupon having so good a Mason and such a

, , noble brother to preside over them ; also upon the good position the Lodgo had now attained , which was mainly attributable to the exertion of Bro . Sergeant , P . M ., and the brethren of the Mentnria Lodge Hanley , who had worked well and constantly to revive the Lodgo and bring it to its present state of perfection . This was briefly acknowledged by the AV . M ., who quite coincided with the remarks of the Prov . G . M ., and would do his utmost to continue and keep the Lodge in the position it now occupied . After receiving the congratulations of the D . Prov . G . M .

, Bro . AA'ard , and the other members of the Prov . Grand Lodge , present , the newly installed Master closed the Lodge in the usual manner amongst Masons . After the ceremony the brethren sat clown to a grand banquet , at which the newly installed AV . M . presided , and the following brethren were present : —Bros . Col . Vernon , Prov . G . M . of Staffordshire ; Thomas AVard , of Newcastle , D . Prov . G . M . ; Cf . Sergeant , Prov . G . Reg ., P . M . ;

Cartwright , of Newcastle , Prov . G . D . ; Fletcher , P . M . ; Cooper , S . AV . ; Keates , J . AA . ; Torreiis , J . J . ) . ; and J 3 ros . Mould , Douglas , Earp , Fish , of Uttoxeter ; Bros . Butterworth , AV . M . ISTo . 600 , Hanley ; J . C . Daniel , S . AV . ; AV . Large , I . G-., and Bros . Bradford , Swift , Hall , and Chantrey of Hanley . The cloth having been withdrawn , and grace said , the AV . M . proposed a number of appropriate toasts , including " The Prov . G . M . of Staffordshire , Col . Vernon ; "' " Bro . the Hon . AV . AVarren Vernon , AV . M . of Foresters' Lodge ; " "The Prov . G . Reg ., Bro . G . Sergeant , Installing

Master ; " aud a number of other toasts , concluding with that of "The Poor and Distressed Masons . " Iii reply to tbe toast of his health , Bro . Sergeant introduced the subject of the Masonic charities , strongly advocating them , urging upon tho Lodge and the brethren the necessity of becoming subscribers at once , which , from the hearty response given by the brethren present , no doubt will be done . This was approved and fallowed up by the Prov . G . M ., Col . Vernon , who is now a life governor to all the charities . This Lodge was formerly a very prosperous one ,

but owing to the death of its late AV . M ., and other intoward circumstances , it has been nearly dead the last few years , but has recently been resuscitated by the exertions of Bro . Sergeant , PAL , ancl the officers of tho Menturia Lodge , Hanley , who were present on this interesting occasion and much pleased to see the success attending their labours of Masonic love . The new Master is a son of Lord Vernon , of AVolsey Hall , Derbyshire , and Bro . to tho Honourable Augustus Vernon , who recently lost his election for the county of Derby by a minority of one vote . He is also a relative of our Prov . GAL , Col . Vernon . Bro . Chantrey , of Hanley , presided over the musical department with his accustomed ability , and a most pleasant fraternal evening was spent .

SUSSES . BRIGHTON . —Loyal Tori ; . Lodge ( No . 391 ) . —The monthly meeting of this Lodge was held at tho Old Ship Hotel , Brighton , on Tuesday the 5 th inst ., tho AV . M . Bro . Moppctt presiding , supported by the whole of his officers , and honoured by the presence of Bro . G . E . Pocock , Grand Sword Bearer ( who was saluted on entrance ) , and several brethren from Lodge , No . 390 . A successful ballot having been taken for Messrs . Ball ancl Willard , thoy were initiated into the mysteries and privileges of the Order . A communication was read from the D . Prov . G . M . of Sussex , certifying the now by-laws .

BniGiiTON . —Jloyal Clarence Lodge ( No . 038 ) . —The monthly meeting of this Lodge was held on Friday , June 17 th , Bro . John H . Scott , AV . M ., presided ; and the visitors present were the R . AV . Bro . Capt . Dalbiac , D . Prov . G . M . of Sussex ; Bro . Heather , Prov . G . Treasurer of Hants ; Bro . Machin , of the Shakespeare Lodge , AA ' arwick ; Bro . Rudduck . P . Prov . J . G . AV . of Suffolk ; Bro . Goldberg , No . 390 , and Bro . Taaffe , No . 39-1 . Dr . Moon was initiated , and Bro . Stedman was passed to the second degree . About forty of the brethren adjourned to refreshment .

After tho toasts of " The Queen and the Craft , " and " The Earl of Zetland , M . AV . G . M ., " had been duly honoured , the AV . M . rose , and said— " The next toast is " Lord Panmure , the R . AV . D . G . M . of England , and the Officers of Grand Loclge . " Until lately wo have for so many years been cut off from all but an official connexion with Grand Lodge , that most of us have taken little or no interest it its proceedings ; ive have been ignorant of its functions ; and how closely identified are the interests of private Lodges , and the Craft iu general , with the well being of Grand

Lodge in particular . AVe have therefore hitherto looked upon this toast and the one preceding , more as a formal acknowledgment of the allegiance which was duo to Grand Lodge , than as making any great calls upon our enthusiasm . But to-day this toast is invested with more than