Provincial.

Bros . Samuel Duncuft Lees , M . D ., W . M . 1 , 218 , Prov . S . G . W . ; Thomas Goulbnrne Parker , W . M . 116 , Prov . J . G . W . ; Rev . J . ¦ Littler , P . M . 854 , Prov . G . Chap . ; John Barker , P . M . 1 , 134 , Prov . G . Treas . ; J . F . Tweedale , P . M . 277 , Prov . G . Reg . ; John Tunnah , W . M . 37 , Prov . G . Sec . ; Thomas Croxton , W . M . 377 , Prov . S . G . Deacon ; George Openshaw , ( Capt , ) W . M . 215 , Prov . J . G . Deacon ; John Coplev , P . M . 228 , Prov . G . Supt . of Works ; Austin ShellardP . M . " 317 Prov . G . Dirof Cers . ;

, , . Samuel Titmas , P . M . 317 , Prov . Assist . G- Dir . of Cers . ; L . Booth , P . M . 191 , Prov . G . Sword Bearer ; B . St . J . B . Joule , P . M . 62 , Prov . G . Org . ; John Dill , M . D ., P . M . 815 , Prov . G . Purst . ; James E . Worsley , S . W . 215 , Prov . G . Standard Hearer ; Emmanuel Whittaker , 277 ; John Taylor , P . M . 4 G 7 ; William McNeill , 467 ; James Maxwell , P . M . 215 ; W . H . Shaw , Sec , ¦ 283 ; James Sutcliffe 283 Prov . G . Stewards ; William Dawson

, , , P . M . 221 , Prov . G . Tyler . Bro . J . MelliuWike , P . Prov . G . W ., then submitted to Prov . G . Lodge the motion of which he had given notice , " That 100 guineas be contributed from the funds of Provincial Grand Lodge , in ¦ aid of the fund about to be raised for the purpose of extinguishing the debt of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , " admitting at the outset that—contrary to the usual feeling of

those who proposed resolutions , —he should have groat satisfaction in seeing his proposition negatived . That remark would not perhaps create much surprise , because many present were aware of the intention to move au amendment , one wliich would have his cordial support as against his own original motion . Bro . Wike proceeded iu a most able , eloquent and exhaustive address to adduce aliundant reasons in justification of the great

¦ effort now being made in the province , in which he was happy to say they would be nobly assisted by the province of West Yorkshire , to raise a sum in connection with the festival of the Boys' School in March next , sufficient to extricate that noble Institution from debt , which debt he trusted most fervently would at once and for ever be got rid of . He testified unreservedly to the management and results of that Institution ,

• and implored those present , and the Craft at large , to come forward in its support . The motion was seconded pro forinii bv Bro . Smith , P . Prov . -G . Treas .

W . Bro . W . Romaine Callender , D . Prov . G . M ., had sincere ¦ pleasure in giving effect to what he believed to be the unani aious and hearty wish of the province , and ivithout trespassing ¦ upon their time , would move that in lieu of the sum proposed , the amount of the grant should be 500 guineas . Bro . William Birch seconded the proposition , warmly commending it for reception by tho brethren . Several members of Grand Lodge concurred in earnest terms

and ultimately the amendment was adopted by universal acclamation , the worthy Prov . G . M ., in comforting assurance to the Prov . G . Treas ., and to avoid the necessity of touching the money invested which he should be sorry to see done , undertaking to advance the amount now voted , in which vote lie heartily agreed . Enthusiastic as was the manner hy which tho adoption of this

proposition was characterised , it was as nothing compared with the ovation rendered to ^ the Prov . G . Master , 13 ro . Blair , when Bro . J . M .-Wike , publicly stated his authority to announce the ¦ intention of their distinguished and respected brother , to present to the institution the sum of One Thousand Guineas , not in his own name , hut under conditions by which the province and the Boys' School would be associated in perpetuity .

Bro . Binckes essayed to return thanks iu acknowledgment of such munificent and unprecedented liberality as that manifested to-day , but confessed himself unequal to tho adequate performance of tho duty . Sincerity and depth of feeling were not , however , inconsistent with brevity , and he must beg the Prov . G . M . and G . Lodgo to accept from him on behalf of all connected with the School , the strongest assurance of lasting

gratitude . His great hope was that such a glorious example would produce imitation—his firm belief was , that it must do so ! Provincial Grand Lodge having been closed , the brethren marched in procession to the Town Hall , where an excellent banquet had been provided , to which ample justice was done by all ivhose engagements permitted them to remain , the absence of the to recent domestic affliction

Prov . G . M . owing being ¦ ( specially regretted . Fifteen brethren volunteered to act as Stewards at the Boys ' School Festival on 10 th March naxt , and it was understood this . number would he largely increased . A large party of ladies were entertained hy the Stewards in

Provincial.

the gallery , and the evening was passed to the comfort and enjoyment of all , an excellent glee party adding thereto considerably . LEICESTERSHIRE . LEICESTER . —St . John ' s Lodge ( No . 279 ) . —A regular monthly

, meeting of this lodge took place at the Freemasons' Hall , on Wednesday , the 4 th inst ., under the presidency of Bro . Kelly , W . M ., and D . Prov . G . M . There were also present Bros . L . A . Clarke , I . P . M . ; W . Weae , P . M . and Treas . ; G . Toller , as S . W ., [ Stanley , J . W ., Stretton ,. Scc , and others ; visitors Bros . J . H . Williams , No . 925 , Birmingham ; L . L . Atwood , Garden City Lodge . Chicago , U . S ., and Dull ' , ( W . M . ) . Barfoot , Buzzard ,

( J . W . ) , Scuithorpo , ( Sec ) , Hodges , and Mace of No . 523 . _ The lodge having been opened and the minutes read and confirmed , there being no candidate present , the lodge was opened iu the second and third degrees , and subsequently closed down to the first . The W . M . brought before the brethren the communication from the Zetland Commemoration Committee and the sum two guineas was voted from the lodge funds to that object . A

brother having baen proposed as a joining member , the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to refreshment , and spent an hour or two very pleasantly iu harmony and social intercourse . WORCESTERSHIRE . WORCESTER . —Semper Fidelis Lodge , ( No . 529 ) . —At a meeting of this flourishing lodgo held on the 2 nd inst ., at the Crown Hotel , Bro . R . T . Rea was elected W . M . for the ensuing year ^

Royal Arch.

ROYAL ARCH .

SUPREME GRAND CHAPTEE . The quarterly communication of Grand Chapter was held in Freemasons' Hall , on Wednesday , tho 4 th inst . The report of the Committee of General Purposes was then read as follows : —• The Committee of General Purposes beg to report that they have examined the accounts from the 15 th July to the 20 th October , 1868 , both inc . usive , which they find to be as follows To balance 15 th July £ 398 0 3 „ subsequent receipts 196 18 0

£ 594 IS 3 By disbursements during the quarter ... £ 97 13 6 „ balance -197 4 9 £ 594 IS 3 which balance is in the hands of Messrs . Willis , Percival , and

Co ., bankers of the Grand Treasurer . The committee have also to report that the Principals of the Chapter of Prudence ( No . 12 ) , having been summoned to attend for having exalted Bro . George Wilkinson , at a short period within the time prescribed by tho law , Comp . W . Blackburn , P . Z . and S . E . of the chapter attended the committee , and explained how the occurrence complained of had arisen . Tho committee finding that the act had arisen entirely from

inadvertence , accepted the explanation , and cautioned the chapter to be more careful in future . The committee have also investigated a complaint against the Unity Chapter ( No . 977 ) , Fowey , Cornwall , for having exalted two brethren within the prescribed period . The Principals of the chapter were summoned to attend the committee , and produce the charter and books—the books were forwarded , but the charter is stated to be lost . From the explanation given , it

appears that tne chapter wishing to exalt a serving companion , made application for a dispensation for such purpose , and were informed by the late G . S . E . that there being no Provincial Grand Superintendent for Cornwall , the application for a dispensation must be made to the First Grand Principal—this , it appears , was erroneously read as Past First Principal ; and it also appears to have been construed to apply to exaltations generally . The chapter accordingly applied for and obtained a dispensation from Comp . Peard , a Past First Principal , to exalt the two companions , and hence the error and infraction of the law . It is now stated on behalf of the chapter , that the