Provincial.

unanimously elected as AV . M . for the ensuing year ; Bro . John Brickels , Treas ., was again unanimously elected to that important office , Bro . M . Moore was also re-elected as Tyler . Tlie W . M . appointed the following brethren as his assistants : —A . Jeffries , S . W . ; Hayward , J . AV . ; T . Grimwood , S . D . ; B . Dove , J . D . ; G . Middleditch , Steward ; B . Gall , J . Gr . ; E . Fit-z-Gerald , Sec . ; J . Dallenger , Dir . of Cers . ; and Reverend Tighe Gregory , Chaplain . A vote of thanks was proposed by P . M . Dallenger

to the W . M ., for his able and effective service in the chair during the past year , which was seconded by P . M . Gissing , and unanimously carried . The AV . M . returned thanks in a feeling maimer , after which tbe loclge was closed in harmony . » -

YORKSHIRE ( NORTH AND EAST ) . CONSECRATION OE THE HUMBER LODGE . The building of tbe Humber Lodge in Osborne-streefc , Hull , having become too small for the members of the lodge , to which additions are being continually made , it was determined , more than twelve months ago , during the period Bro . C . S . Todd was W . M . to reconstruct the sameThe workwhich was begun

, . , several months ago , is now completed , aud on the Sth inst . the new Ioclge-room was consecrated according to tho rites of the Order , and set apart for the uses of Freemasonry . The ceremony of consecration was performed by Bro . George Marwood , D . Prov . G . M . for the province of North and East York , assisted by Bros . M . AV . Clarke , AV . M . ; J . G . Milner , S . AV . ; J . P . RunctonJ . W . OatesChaplain of the Lod and

, ; , ge ; other officers of the lodge , in the presence of a very numerous attendance of brethren , including Bros . Major Smyth , the D . Prov . G . M . for Lincolnshire ; E . H . Lucas , Prov . G . Sec- for Lincolnshire ; Nelson , Prov . G . Sec . for tho AVest Riding of York ; J . P . Bell , M . D . , Prov . G . Sec . for East and North York ; Mosely , Croft , Jacobs , Seaton , Todd , Holden , Harrison , ancl numerous other P . M . 's , the W . M . and officers of the Minerva and the

Kingston Lodges . The ceremony was performed with great solemnity and caro , and favourably impressed all who were present . Tho lodge room , its fittings and furniture are excellent , and it is undoubtedly one of the best , if not the best , lodgo room iu tho provinces . At six o ' clock a number of tho brethren sat down to a

wellserved banquet in the banquetting room of the lodgo , which is under the loclge room . TheAV . M ., Bro . M . W . Clarko , presided . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured , and Bro . Marwood was heartily thanked for his presence and services in consecrating the lodge . Bro . Stephenson presided at the piano , and some excellent songs and glees were admirably sung .

YORKSHIRE ( WEST ) . PRESENTATION TO BRO . WILLIAM FOSTER , P . M ., AND PROV . G . S . B . BRADFORD . —Pentalplia Lodge ( No . 974 ) . —This lodge held its monthly meeting ou tho 7 th inst . In the absence of the AA . M ., _ the loclge was opened b y Bro . James Lumb , P . M . Tlie minu 6 es of last lod having been read and confirmedthe

ge , AV . M . entered the lodgo and took his chair . He apologised for his unavoidable absence at tho opening of the loclge , and expressed his regret that the pleasing duty which he had , to perform had been so long delayed , owing to domestic affliction , viz ., the presentation of a testimonial of esteem and regard to Bro . AVilliam Foster , P . M . and Prov . G . S . B ., who was the first JIaster of the Loclge .

The testimonial , which was beautifull y illuminated on vellum , and signed by the whole of the members , expressed tho deep obligation the lod ge was under to the worthy brother , in having provided at his own expense the jewels and other costl y paraphernalia for the due observance of the ceremonies , and concluded with expressions of fraternal regard . Bro . AVILLIAM FOSTER , in his reply , said : It is with feelings of character

no ordinary that I rise to thank you for the testimonial you have presented to me this evening . It is in itself a work of art , on which great labour and taste have been bestowed , yet how infinitely is its beauty surpassed by the eloquent language expressing , warm sentiments of esteem and approval from my brethren of the Pentalplia Lodge . Brethren , accept my hearty thanks . Bro . Briggs , I am deeply in-

Provincial.

debtee ! to you for the kind expressions you have been deputed to convoy on behalf of the lodge . It would be difficult to find a more zealous Mason in every good work than our AVorshipful Master , yet I fear , in this instance , his unbounded charity has led bira to say far more in my favour than I can ever possibly observe . Brethren , when the heart is full of gratitude , it not unfrequently is least able to give expression to it . How then can I stand before this evening without embarrassmentdeeply

you , sensible of your kindness , at the same time fully conscious of my own short coinings ; it is to you , brethen , I owe my high and enviable position , and nob to any merit of my own . AVhen the Pentalplia Lodge was formed , you did me the honour of selecting me its first Master , probably influenced more by personal esteem than Masonic qualification . I accepted the chair with diffidence— even with reluctancealthough

nay , , a member of the Loclge of Hope ( No . 302 ) for some years , _ and whilst living in the town a regular attender , my private engagements have so rapidly increased , and with less vigorous health of late , I have not ' been ablo to devote as much time to the duties of the lodge as I could have wished . 'In the formation of the lodge , I was pleased to find many of the Past Masters of the Lodge of Hope were amongst its promoters ,

and it is to them more particularly that I am indebted for the success which has attended nvy period of office ; aud I would take this opportunity of thanking them for the kind support , counsel , and assistance they have so willingly rendered , and which has contributed so much to the prosperity of . the lodge . During the term of my office , it has forcibly struck me that the strength of a lodge depends , less upon its numbers than the

zeal , efficiency , and sterling work of those who rightly appreciate our system ; and I would earnestly advise a continuance of . that caution which has , so far , been one of our characteristics .. Brethren , allow me again to express my gratitude and heartfelt thanks for the honour you havo done me in assuring me ,, by the testimonial you have now presented , that my humble efforts in the service of our ancient Craft have merited your approval . Trusting that we may all be long spared to continue and firmly cement the good-fellowship already existing amongst us , I once more return you mv warmest thanks .

The next business was the installation of the W . M . elect , Bro . David Little , which ceremony was ably performed by Bro . Jas . Lumb , P . M . After a portion of Holy Scripture had been read by the Chaplain , the lodge was closed in harmony at S . 30 .

The brethren then retired to celebrate the Festival of St . John . Amongst the brethren present were the following P . M . ' s : — Bros . Rogerson , Salmond , Hill , Gath , H . Smith , H . Mawson , Taylor , Jlf . D . ; Lumb , sen . ; Hunter , M . Rhodes , Schcoppi , Pratt , Matthews , Briggs , W . Foster , and Little ; also , Bros . Rev . H . Willis , D . D . ; Rev . H . J . Bui-field , ALA . ; Rev . — Ffynn , M . A . ; Leeson , M . D . ; Beanland , Lawrie , J . Foster , Walmsley , Wrigley , Mee , Watson , J . Hill , Brear , & c .

Royal Arch.

ROYAL ARCH .

METROPOLITAN . ROSE OP DENMARK CHARTER ( No . 975 . )—A convocation of the above chapter was held at the White Hart Hotel , Barnes , Surrey , on the 2 nd inst . The chapter was opened by Comp .. Brett , M . E . Z . ; Little , IL ; Hubbard , J . ; Buss , P . Z ., Treas . ; and Cottebrune , P . Z . 177 ; after which the companions were admittedand the minutes of the previous convocation read ,

, and confirmed . The following companions were then severally and unanimously elected to office for the ensuing year , viz .: — Comps . R . AV . Little , M . E . Z . ; Hubbard , H . ; Terry , J . ; Oliver , E . ; Smith , N . ; Pendlebury , P . S . ; , Buss , P . Z ., Treas . A vote of three guineas for a P'Z . ' s jewel to Comp . Brett in acknowledgment of the great ability , courtesy , and Masonic feeling ho had displayed during his year of office was then carried by

acclamation , and the companions further augmented the amount by individual subscriptions . The M . E . Z . elect then 2 n -oposed , and Comp . AVillcox seconded , Bro . J . Barnes , of the present loclge , for exaltation ; after which the chapter was closed , and the companions adjourned to the banquet , a very pleasant evening being spent under the presidency of Comp . Brett , and enlivened by recitations and songs by Comps . Terry , Squire , & c