Provincial.

NORTHUMBERLAND . Noi-TH SHIELDS . —St . George's Lodge ( No . 341 ) . —The usual meeting of this lodge was held in the Masonic Hall , on Wednesday , the 2-St-h ult ., the W . M ., Bro . J . P . Simpson , Prov . J . G-D ., presiding , supported by his officers and a large number of brethren , amongst whom were Bros . J . G . Tulloch , P . Prov . J . G . AV . ; II . C . Hansen , P . Prov . J . G . D ; J . N . Buckland ,

P . Prov . J . G . D . Durham ; J . J . Oliver , J . Roddam , W . Wright , P . M . ' s 240 ; and G . Lawson , S . W . 240 . After the minutes of election liad been confirmed , and the loelge opened in the second degree , the S . W ., Bro . George Fenwick Shotton , the W . M . elect , was presented for installation , and , having agreed to conform to the ancient charges and regulations , was duly obligated as to the government of the lodge . The lodge was then opened in the third degree . Afterwards , a board of Past

Masters was duly assembled , and Bro . G . F . Shotton was regularly installed to the chair of K . S . according to ancient custom , by Bro . John G . Tulloch , P . Prov . J . G . W ., who delivered the various lectures , and explained the duties of the respective offices . During the ceremonies the lodge was closed in the third and second degrees , and the W . M . proclaimed and saluted ; the musical arrangements being well executed by Bro . T . Haswell , Prov . G . Org ., assisted by Bros . Oliver , Buckland , Stockdale , and Chater , of St . Hilda's Lodge ( No . 240 ) , South Shields . The W . M . appointed and invested the following brehren as

officers for the ensuing year : —Bros . J . P . Simpson , I . P . M . ; Joseph Robertson , S . W . ; Rev . Thomas Featherstone , J . W . ; Joseph Gibson ( elected ) , Treas . ; John Graham Tulloch , P . M ., Sec . and Dir . of Cers . ; Septimus Young , S . D . ; Henry Walker Weatherstone , J . D . ; Peter Matthews Stephenson , I . G . ; Joseph Dalton Brown , P . G . S ., S . S . ; George Oyston , J . S . ; and John Evans , Tyler . A cordial vote of thanks was unanimously accorded to Bro . Tulloch for his services as Installing Blaster ,

and to the musical brethren for their assistance , which added much to the sublimity of the ceremony . The lodge was then closed in due form . The annual festival was held at the Albion Hotel , on Thursday , the 29 th ult ., when about sixty brethren sat dotvn to a sumptuous banquet , provided in Bro . Manning's best style . The W . M ., Bro . G . F . Shotton , presided , supported by Bros . W . Twizell , P . Prov . J . G . W ., W . M . Tyre Lodge ( No . 991 ); John G . Tnllocb , P . Prov . J . G . W . ; J . P . Simpson ,

Prov . J . G . D . ; II . C . Hansen , P . Prov . J . G . D . ; W . Wright and J . Roddam , P . M . 240 ; G . Lawson , S . W . 240 ; and T . Y . Strachan , J . W . Newcnstle-on-Tyno ( No . 24 ) . The Wardens occupied their respective chairs in the W . and S . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given and responded to , and with some good singing introduced between the toasts , a pleasant and harmonious day was spent , evidently to the satisfaction of all present . The neighbouring lodges were well represented , as usual .

SOUTH WALES ( EASTERN DIVISION ) . ABEEAVON . —Afan Lodge ( No . 833 ) . —The usual monthly meeting of this flourishing lodge was held on Thursday evening , the 5 th inst . In consequence of the inclemency of the weather , the attendance of brethren was not so numerous as usual , many of the members and most regular adherents residing at a considerable distance . Among those present were Bros . LI .

Powell , P . M ., and Prov . J . G . D . ; Edward J . Morris , P . M ., and P . Prov . S . G . D . ; H . LI . Prichard , D . Longdon , R . F . Gillett , Jno . Jones , M . Tennant , Thomas Welsh , J . Daniel , Jno . Felton , Barnes , and others . In the absence of the W . M ., through severe indisposition , tlie chair was taken by Bro . Edward J . Morris , P . M ., who officiated during the evening . After confirmation of the minutes , the ballot was taken for Wm . Iltid Morganof Maestegwhichresulting in his electionthis

, , , , candidate and Mr . William Chas . Davies , of Cwmavon ( elected at a previous meeting ) , were regularly initiated into the mysteries of the Craft . Bros . Thomas Jones , of Bridgend , and Wm . B . Popkin , of Maesteg , were passed to the second degree , and Bro . John Williams was raised to the third degree . Two gentlemen from tho neighbourhood were proposed as candidates for initiation , after which , the requisite arrangements for the

annual festival and installation of the W . M . elect were discussed and determined upon , it being the general wish that the same should take placo on Friday , the 13 th inst ., the anniversary of the opening of the lodge . A large gathering is confidently anticipated , as the W . M . elect , Bro . H . LI . Prichard , is very deservedly esteemed and respected . This lodge , which is one of the latest established in the province , has become , under the fostering care ami personal superintendence of the D . Prov .

G . M ., Bro . T . Mansel Talbot ( who resides in tho immediate neighbourhood ) , noted for its correct appointments and careful working , and in the hands of the W . M . elect for the ensuing year it is not likely to lose its prestige . BBECON . —Hreclcnoclc Lodge ( No . 651 ) . —The brethren of this lodge assembled at the Town Hall , on Tuesday , tho 27 th ult ., to celebrate the annual Festival of St . John , ami to install the Worshipful Master for the ensuing year . The lodge was

opened by the W . M . at 3 p . m ., when the following brethren were present : —Bros . W . L . Banks , F . S . A ., W . M . ; Richard Hall , S . W . ; J . D . Perrott , J . W . and Hon . Sec . ; Colonel Lloyd V . Watkins , M . P . ( Lord Lieutenant ) , Captain W . R . Brereton , Jno . Davies , M . D ., Richard Eve , Prov . G . Purst ., P . M . 's ; Revs . T . B . Hosken and W . P . Jones , Chaps . ; James Williams , Treas . ; Evan Jones , S . D . ; Richard Webh , J . D . ; R . W . Price , I . G . ; H . C . Rich , Dir . of Cers . ; George Cansick ( Mayor ) , Steward ;

Thomas Frater , C . W . Boniface , J . W . Morgan , T . C . Perks , J . R . Frater , William Webb , F . Hodges , W . Farr , J . Evans , J . Prothero , J . Benjamin , J . Morgan , F . Watkins , Rev . W . Williams , David Pugh , and R . L . Williams , 120 , visitor . Two Fellow Crafts were present , who were very desirous of being raised to the sublime degree of Master Masons . Bros . F . Watkins and W . Williams passed satisfactory examinations , and were raised to the third degree . The ceremony was most ably

performed by Bro . Eve , P . M ., and Bro . J . D . Perrott delivered the lecture on the tracing board . The lodge was lowered to the second degree , when Bro . Richard Eve , P . M ., proceeded with duties of Installing Master . Eros . Colonel Watkins , M . F ., P . M ., and W . L . Banks , W . M ., presented Bro . Joseph Denston Perrott ( tho W . M . elect ) for the benefit of installation , who , having first assented to the ancient charges read over by the SecretaryBro . E . Joneswas installed in the chair of K . S . the

, , , ceremony being impressively given by Bro . Eve . On the readmission of the brethren into the lodge , the W . M . was saluted according to ancient custom in the throe degrees , and proclaimed W . M . of this lodge for the ensuing twelve months . The following officers were then invested : —Bros . Richard Hall , S . W . ; Richard Webb , J . W . ; W . L . Banks , I . P . M . ; Revs . T . B . Hoske ' n and W . P . Jones , Chaps . ; James Williams , re-elected Treas . ; Evan Jones , Sec . ; J . R . Frater , S . D . ; R . W . Price , J . D . ;

William Farr , I . G . ; II . C . Rich , Dir . of Cers . ; Jno . Morgan and Jno . Evans , Stewards ; Adam Scott , re-elected Tyler . Bro . Colonel Lloyd V . Watkins , M . P ., P . M ., proposed a vote of thanks to Bro . W . L . Banks , the retiring W . M ., and he was sure there was not one who more heartily wished every success to the lodge than Bro . Banks . Bro . W . L . Banks , F . S . A ., P . M ., thanked the brethren sincerely for the compliment they had paid him , and regretted that he was not able to devote as much

time as he wished to in furthering the good of Freemasonry . The W . M ., in thanking Bro . Richard Eve , P . M ., for his kindness in attending the ceremony of installation , said it was his pleasing duty to inform him that the brethren had unanimously elected him an honorary member , in consideration of the eminent services he had rendered this lodge , and in appreciation of the eloquent and impressive manner in which he rendered the Masonic ceremonies , also for his kindness in coming from

Aidershot to perforin the duties of Installing Master last year as well as on the present occasion . This announcement was received by the brethren with much gratification , as all were able to bear testimony to the very efficient way in which he discharged his duties when W . M . Bro . Eve thanked the brethren for the honour conferred on him , and assured them he was ready at any time to do what he could to further the true interests of Freemasonry . A . P . M . ' s jewel had been voted to

Bro . Adam Scott , Tyler , and it was intended to present him with it to-day , but , unfortunately , he was suffering from serious illness , which prevented him attending the lod ^ e . Bro . J . W . Morgan proposed Mr . J . A . F . Snedd , banker , as a candidate for the mysteries and privileges of Freemasonry , which was seconded by Bro . E . Jones . This concluded the business in the lodge , when tbe W . M . commanded the J . W . to call the brethren from labour to refreshment . The brethren adjourned

to the Castle Hotel , ivhere a most sumptuous banquet was awaiting them , consisting of the delicacies of the season , and which reflected the highest credit on the Castle of Brecon Hotel Company Limited , and more especially to the manager , Bro . F . Watkins , ivho had spared no exertion in catering . After the removal of the cloth , the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given and responded to with great cordiality . The lodge was closed in duo form at ten o'clock , when the brethren separated , having spent a most agreeable evening .