Provincial.

Sin-mEHLANa— St . John ' s lodge ( No . 95 ) . —The Brethren of this Lodge held their annual festival in tho Plicenix Freemasons' Hall , on Tuesday , January 4 th , 1859 , when about fifty of the Brethren sat down to an excellent dinner , supplied by Bvo . K ' aylor . After the oloth was drawn , the usual loyal and Masonic toists were given in an excellent manner by the AA . M ., Bro , Alexander Hislop , who , on proposing the health of the immediate P . M ., Bro . AV . H . Crookes , Prov . G . Sec , expressed in suitable language the pleasure he felt in being the medium

chosen by the Brethren to present their respected Past Master with a splendid gold Past Master ' s jewel , ou which the following inscription was engraved .- — " Presented to Bro . AVilliam Henry Crookes , P . M ., by the Brethren of the St . John ' s Lodge , No . 95 , Sunderland , on his retiring from the chair of that Lodge , 14 th December , 1858 , after fulfilling tho office of AV . M . for two years , as a mark of esteem and fraternal regard , for his valuable services to that Lodge and the Craft in general . " Bro . Crookes , P . M ., returned thanks , and acknowledged tho

honour in a feeling and impressive manner . Amongst the visitors present were Bros . Levy , P . M ., No . 114 , Prov . G . S . D . ; Brookes , P . M ., No . 114 , P . Prov . G . J . D . ; IX . Naylor , AV . M ., No . 959 , Prov . G . J . D . The proceedings of the evening passed off in that love and' harmony which has always distinguished this Lodge .

VnnascTOK . —Restoration Lodge ( No . 128 ) . —This uow flourishing Lodge met at the Town Hall , Darlington , on Wednesday , the 29 th ult ., and at the conclusion of the business , the Brethren adjourned to Bro . Turner ' s , King ' s Head , where an excellent dinner was provided . The following Brethren were present : — Bro . Kouyon , AV . M . ; Bro . AVrightson , S . AV . ; Bro . Macnay , J . W . ; Bro . Turner , S . D . ; Bro . Marshall , J . D . ; Pro . Abbey , I . G . ; Bro . Gargett , Treas ;; Bro . Simpson , Chaplain ; Bro . Wilson , P . M ., - Bro . Lee , See . ; Bros . Hammerbom , P . M ., Birchall , PlewsT . F . MacnayE . AValdyAV . AValdyIt . BensonS . Carltonli . Lith

, , , , , , go , Sparks , J . S . Pensoeh , and Rev . M . Milner . In the course of the evening , Bro . Hammerbom was presented by tho members of the Lodge with a P . M . ' s jewel . The usual Masonic toasts were given , and the utmost love and harmony prevailed , Soui'n SHIELDS . —St . Hilda ' s Lodge ( No . 292 ) . —The regular monthly meeting ( the first since the installation ) was held at Bro . Carman ' s , Golden Liou Hotel , on Monday , Jan . 10 th , the AA ' . M ., Bro . J . J . Oliver , presiding , supported by Bros . Fovster , TwizelL and Ridley , P . Ms . ; J . Hinde , S . AV , ; J . Rocldain , as J . AA . ; and the

other subordinate officers of the Lodge . The minutes having been read and coufirnied , aud a favourable ballot taken for four gentlemen for initiation , a conversation ensued relative to the conducting of tho business ofthe Lodge . The ceremonies of the first and second degrees were conducted by the AV . M . in a highly satisfactory and creditable manner . Iu the course of the evening Bro . G . S . Shotton was invested with the collar ancl jewel of Secretary—vice Bro . J . Roddam resigned . The sum of three guineas was voted towards the funds of the soup kitchen of the town , on the motion of Bro . Forster , P . M ., seconded by Bro . Ridley , P . M ., and carried unanimously . Business having been concluded , the Lodge was closed in clue form .

GLOUCESTERSHIRE . APTOIXTMEXT , —Lodge . —AVednesday , January 28 th , Foundation ( 37 ) , Freemasons' Hall , Chef , tenhtrm , at 5 , HAMPSHIRE . AvvoismssTS . —Lodges . —AVednesday , January 20 th , Economy ( 90 ) , 31 aek Swan , Winchester , at 7 j Jhoaiix ( 310 ) , High Street , Portsmouth , at 7 ; Thursday , 27 th , Eoyal Gloucester ( 152 ) . Freemasons' Hall , Southampton , at 7 . POETSJIOUTH . —Portsmouth Lod ( No . 717 ) . —The members of this Lodheld

ge ge their annual festival on Thursday , the 14 th January , at their Lodge rooms , Highstreet . Bro . Hollhigsworth , the AV . M ., opened the Lodge , and the minutes of the preceding meeting , which included the election of Bro . George Rake , S . AV ., to the chair , having been confirmed , Bro . Edwin Gait , P . M ., presided , and installed Bro Rake as AV . M ., in the presence of several P . Ms ., and afterwards proclaimed aud saluted him in the several degrees . Bro . Hollingsworth having been invested as P . M ., the AV . M . appointed and invested as his officers ;•—Bro . Thomas Weston ,