Provincial.

Hains , G . Humberstone , and as visitors : Bros . G . Glanfield , P . M . and P . Prov . G . S . D ., C . Titherly and A . Bodley . In all about fifty sat down to table , nearly all of whom had been prosent in the lodge room . The usual routine of toasts was gone through , accompanied by speeches of a fraternal and laudatory character befitting the occasion , the purport of which may be readily imagined without a detailed report . It may be most truly remarked that the proceedings of the day , though so

protracted as to cause fears of weariness , were conducted by all concerned with great earnestness and ability and were brought to a satisfactory conclusion , the brethren separating at eight o'clock .

HAMPSHIRE . FOEDINGEEIDGE . — Vale of Avon Lodge ( No . 1 , 112 ) . —The third anniversary of this progressive lodge was held on Friday the 15 th inst ., at the Greyhound Hotel , Fordingbridge . The lodge was opened at 6 . 30 p . m . in ancient and solemn form . Present—Bros . F . Peru , W . M . ; R . Chilcott , S . W . ; M . G . Handford 3 W . and W . M . nominate ; E . H . TaylorS . D . ; S . H .

, . , Perman , J . D . ; Croft , Treas . ; C . W . Wyndham , P . M . and Sec . ; Ward , Prov . Grand Purst ., P . M . ; Lewis , I . G . ; the Rev . Bro . Heath , P . Prov . G . C . for Dorset ; Rudden , J . W ., No . 622 ; Cox , No . 586 , & c . The minutes of the last lodge having been read and confirmed , the brethren proceeded to ballot for Bro . Matthew Goodenough Handforth , J . W ., as W . M . for the ensuing year . Bro . Croft , Treasurer , and Bro . Bonnett , Tyler , when all three

were unanimously elected . The chair was then taken by Bro . the Rev . W . M . Heath , P . M ., 622 , and P . Prov . G . C . for Dorset . The lodge was then opened in the second degree , and Bro . Handford duly presented for installation . After being obligated , the lodge was opened in the third degree , and all brethren below the degree of Installed Master were then requested to withdraw . A board of Installed Masters was then formed , and Bro . Handford regularly installed in the chair of K . S .. The brethren having

been admitted , the usual ceremonies were continued , and the lodge closed down the first degree , when the W . M . nominated the following officers for the ensuing year : —Bros . F . Peru , I . P . M . ; Chillcott , S . W . ; Taylor , J . W . ; Croft , Treas . ; C . W . Wyndham , P . M ., and P . Prov . G . Reg . for Wilts , Sec . ; Perman , S-D . ; Lewis , J . D . ; Stevens , I . G . ; and Bonnett , Tyler . The ceremony of installation having been completed , a vote of thanks

was unanimously accorded to the Rev . Bro . Heath for his kind attendance , and lor tbe efficient manner in which he had conducted the ceremony . Bro . Heath , in thanking the brethren , assured them it would always afford him much pleasure to

attend and assist at any tune . Bro . Peru , I . P . M ., congratulated the brethren on their having selected so able and efficient a W . M . as Bro . Handford , as he knew how thoroughly he was up to the work , and wished him a prosperous year of office . The W . M ., thanked the lodge for tbe honour they had done him in placing him in tbe proud position he now occupied , and assured them that no effort would be wanting on his part to promote the prosperity of the Vale of Avon Lod and advance its

inge , terests ; he trusted the officers would give him their best support , and at the expiration of his year ot office the brethren would not regret having placed him the chair . The W . M . then stated that he had a very pleasing duty to perform , and one he felt sure would bo very gratifying to every member of the lodge ; it was to present Bro . II . Ward with a P . M . 's jewel , and begbis tance of a life membership of the lodge as a slight

reaccep cognition of tbe valuable services rendered by him since its formation—be having been one of the founders . To his exertions , assisted by Bro . P . M . Wyndham , is to be attributed the success it has attained . The W . M . feelingly addressed Bro . Ward , as follows : — " In presenting you with this jewel I beg to share the kind feeling every member of this lodge entertains towards you , and trust it may adorn your breast

for many many years to come ; and in the ruling of the Great Architect of the Universe when you shall be summoned from this lower lodge , and leave all that endears you to this world , you will leave behind you a name intimately associated with each of us , and an example worthy of our imitation . " The W . M . then placed the jewel on Bro . Ward ' s breast , amid tho acclamations of the brethren . The jewel is a very handsome oneand

, bears the following inscription— " Presented to Bro . II . Ward ty tbe Vale of Avon Lodge , No . 1 , 112 , in recognition of his valuable services as the first W . M ., and of the great esteem in which he is held by the brethren . —1869 . " Bro . H . Ward replied as follows -. — " Worshipful Master and brethren , I cannot

find words with which to express my feelings to you at this moment for your very kind and handsome present . I scarcely know which I value most , tho beautiful jewel you have given me , or the electing me a life member of your lodge , thereby retaining my name on your roll of members . This is indeed a proud moment , which I shall ever treasure in memory's storehouse , and look back on with gratitude and pleasure . Whatever services I have rendered to the lodgo I have given freeland

y heartily , and from a pure love of Masonry and those glorious principles on which our order is founded . I have indeed been very anxious to see this lodge successful , and it is very gratifying to me to sec it in such a prosperous state . It is a sufficient recompense for any services I have rendered ,- I have only tried to do my duty , and that is the duty of every Freemason . Permit me once more to thank youand assure you how hihlI prize

, gy your kindness , and trust it may stimulate others to do all they can in the in the interest of their lodge . " There being no further business , the lodge was closed at 8 . 30 in peace and harmony , after which the the brethren sat down to a banquet provided by Bro . Chilcott , the W . M Bro . Handford in the chair . The usual loyal and masonic toasts were given , and a very pleasant evening spent , and the brethren separated at an early hour .

MONMOUTHSHIRE . ABERGATENY — Philanthophic Lodge ( No . 818 ) . —The installation of Bro . Gosden as W . M . of this lodge took place on Tuesday , the 13 th instant , at the Masonic Hall . Bro . S . H . Steele , Jlf . D ., took the chair , and , after the usual preliminaries had been gone through , the W . M . elect was dnly presented , and installed W . M . of S 18 the ceremony being most abland

cor-, y rectly rendered by the Prov . G . Purst ., Bro . H . Hellyer , P . M . 471 . The W . M . then appointed and invested his officers as follows : — Bros . S . H . Steele , I . P . M . ; W . Sanders , S . W . ; C . J . Daniel , J . W . ; S . Browning , Treas . ; W . C . Freeman , Sec ; T . Harrhy , S . D . ; J . Straker , J . D . ; C . B . 'Williams , Steward ; W . Harris , I . G . The lodge having been closed , the brethren adjourned to the banquet at the Angel Hotel , Abergaveny . The W . M . presided , and the

usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given , that of " The W . M . " being responded to by Bro . Gosden ; " The Past Masters , " by Bro . Steele ; " Tbe Installing Master , " by Bro . Hellyer . The Tylers toast concluded tbe evening .

PoxTYroOL . — Kennard Lodge ( No . 1 , 258 ) . — The usual monthly meeting of tbe members of this lodge took place at tho Clarence Hotel on Monday last ; and from the fact that tbe D . Prov . G . JVL and several of his officers having notified their intention to be present , there was a good muster . The W . M ., Bro . Bartholomew Thomas , took the chair , and all the officers were in their places with the exception of one , absent through severe illness . The lodge was opened in due formand the

, minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed . The I . G . then announced the arrival of the D . Prov . G . M . and his officers . They were admitted , and received with Masonic honours . The Rev . John Cleeves Llewellen , Rector of Pontypool , Mr . William Wood , and Mr . Edwin Fowler were balloted for . Bros . Haskins and Waitc were raised to tho degree of M . M . Bros . Danes and Jacob were passed to the degree of F . C . The Rev . J . Cleeves

Llewellen , Mr . William Wood , Mr . E . Fowler , jun ., and Mr . Charles Herbert were dnly initiated . Tbe whole of the ceremonies were most ably performed by the W . M . Three candidates were then proposed , and will be balloted for at the next meeting . ThoS . W ., Bro . II . M . Kennard , proposed that "A cordial vote of thanks be offered to the D . Prov . G . M . and his officers for the compliment paid the members of the Kennard Lod

ge , by giving their presonce this evening , " which was seconded b y the J . W ., and carried unanimously . TheD . Prov . G . M ., in his usual happy style , returned his best thanks for the kindness thus shown him . The Secretary then brought up the by-laws which , were passed at tho last meeting , and it was proposed and seconded that the same be now confirmed . This being carried unanimously , the W . M . then called forward Bro . the Rev .

John Cleeves Llewellen , and apx > ointed him as Chaplain to No . 1 , 258 . The lodge was then closed in due form , and the brethren proceeded to the banquet . The ' W . M . presided , supported on his right by the D . Prov . G . M ., the Prov . G . Sec , and Prov . G . Chap . ; on Ms left by Bro . H . M . Kennard , . S . W . 1 , 258 , the Chaplain 1 , 258 , the Prov . G . Purs ., the Prov . G . Treas ., and several Prov . G . Stewards . The vice chair was taken by the J . W ., Bro . Henry Griffiths . The following toasts were proposed— "The Queen and the Craft , " "The Prince of Wales and all the Royal Family , " " The M . AV ., the