Provincial.

customary annual banquet was held . On Thursday , November 3 rd , the first monthly meeting under the new regime was held , when the lodge was opened b y Bro . Cuming , AV . M , assisted by Bros . J . Heath , P . M ., as S . AV . ; ' Stafford , J . AV . ; ' Dr . Hopkins , as I . P . M . ; and the brethren who hold office as Secretary , Deacons , and I . G . The minutes were read and confirmed , and after a short discussion on internal matters of no general interest , no other business offering , the lodge was closed after a short sitting .

HAMPSHIRE . BOURNEMOUTH—CENTENARY OB LODGE OX H ENOIST ( NO . 195 ) . The Centenary of this lodge was celebrated on Wednesday last . The lodge was held in the Bellevue Assembly Rooms , there being upwards of eighty brethren present . The chair was ably occupied by Bro . AV . W . B . Beach , R . AV . Prov . Grand Master . The principal business of the lodge was

the investment of Bro . Rebbeck , AV . M , with a centenary jewel , by virtue of the sanction of the M . AV . Grand Master . At the close of these proceedings the brethren dined at the Bath Hotel , at which the R . AV . Provincial Grand Master prosided , Bros . AV . E . Rebbeck , AV . M , and Tuck , P . M ., acting as Vice-Chairmen . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given and duly responded to .

LANCASHIRE ( WEST . ) PRESTON . —Concord Lodge , ( No . 343 ) . —The regular monthly meeting of tho above lodge was held on Thursday 17 th iust , at the King ' s Arms- Hotel . Bro . Porter , \ A . M . presided , supported by Bros . Banning , S . AV . ; Heaps , J . W . ; Robinson , P . M ., Treas . ; Brown , P . M . ; Watson , P . M . ; Moss , P . M . ; Cockshott , S . D . ; FarmerS . D . AVilsonI . G . ; and forty brethren . The

, ; , visiting brethren were Bros . Mills , Lewis Lodge , Whitehaven ; Taylor , AV . M . Salford ; Townshend , Unanimity , 113 ; T . H . Myers , Peace and Unity , 314 . The lodge was opened , at seven o ' clock , the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . The ceremony of passing Bros . Gittens and Ryder , was then gone through , and the lodge having been resumed in the first degree , Mr . Alfred Beattie , was introduced and initiated .

The ballot for W . M . for the ensuing jear was then taken , and proved iu favour of Bro . Banning , S . W , Bro . Robinson , P . M . being re-elected Treasurer . The lodge was thou closed with solemn prayer , according to ancient custom , at 10 o'clock . Tho brethren then adjourned to the usual good banquet , provided by Bro . P . M . Robinson . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given and duly honoured , and a most agreeable and profitable evening was spent , the brethren retiring in peace and harmony at 11 . 30

LEICESTERSHIRE AND RUTLAND . LEICESTER . —John of Gaunt Lodge , ( No . 523 . )—A monthl y meeting of this lodge took place at the Freemasons' Hall , on Thursday , the 19 th inst . The AV . M , Bro . T . H . Buzzard , presided , and there was a good attendance of member . ; and visitors , amongst whom were Bros . Kelly , R . AV . Prov . G . M . ; AV . B . SmithDuft ; Tollerand Cha * . JohnsonP . M ' s ; SculthorpeS AV

, , , , ; Rev . Dr . Haycroft , J . AV . ; Baines , Sec . ; Partridge , S . D . ; Whitaker , as J . G . ; Atkins , Stewaid ; Bemhridge , Tyler ; Toone , Boss , Koaley , Rowlett , aud Lango , Visitors : Bros , btanloy , AV . M . L . A . Clarke , P . M . ; Palmer , S . D . ; Capt . Goodcliihl , Statham , ' and Shuttlewood , of 299 ; and Quarter Master Sergt . Preston ' , R . A . of 301 . The lodge having been opened , and the minutes read and confirmed , a . ballot was taken for two candidates for

admission into the Order , Messrs . AA ood , and Thorpe who were duly elected . There were four hiethren due for the third degree , viz : Bros . Howard , Wynne , M . H . C . 3 ., Kealcy , ami Lango , one only of whom ( Bro . L-. uige ) was pros out when required , Bro . Kealcy not arriving unfortunately until too late to receive the degree , owing to the delay of a train , by which ho travelled from a considerable distance , for that purpose . The lod

ge having been opened in the second degree , Bro . Lange was duly examined , after which Ihe lodge was opened in the third degree , and he was dul y raised as a M . M . On the lodge being- lowed to the first degree , Messrs . Wood , ni . d Thorpe were regularly initiated . During- the ceremonies of tho evening , " Bro . Rowlett presided at tho organ , and assisted by several brethren , gave the musical chants . A case of distress was brought before the lodge , by the

Prov . G . M ., and received the warm sympathy of the brethren , temporary relief was ordered to be afforded to give time for conskloration , with St . John ' s Lodge as to the means of rendering more permanent assistance . The W . M . brought forward a proposal for a Masonic ball to take place during the winter , the brethren of ihe two lodges being invited to meet , to form a committee to carry out the arrangements . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to refreshment , and spent an hour or two very pleasantly in social intercourse aud harmony ,

MIDDLESEX . UXBBIDGE . —Royal Virion Lodge ( No . 382 ) . —The regular meeting of this lodge was held on Monday , the 21 st inst ., at Belmont Hall , Uxbridsre . Present : —Bros . T . A . Adams , Prov .. G . P . ; AVeedon , P . M . ; " Horsley , P . M ., as S . W . ; Coulton , W . M . ; Lonsdale , J . AV . ; Woodward , Treas .-. W . Coombes , P . M ., Prov . G . S . BHon . Seo J . L . CoultonS . D . ; SwallowI . G . ; Davis

, ; , , and Hale , Stewards . The following visitors were present : — Bros . Gibbons , P . Prov . G . J . AV , Berks and Bucks , P . M . No . 209 ; Strango , P . M . 209 ; Goodman , 163 ; Broodlement , La Tolerance ; Lancaster , 1 , 287 . A ballot was taken for five candidates , also for Bro . Buddy , Leigh Lodge , as a joining member , Messrs . Beverley and Tyrell were initiated . The Hon . Secretary read a letter from the Prov . G , Master , Col . Burdett , thanking the .

brethren of the lodge for their kindness in electing him an honorary member of the lodge . It was moved and seconded that the leter of the Prov . G . M . be entered on the lodge minutes . The newly-revised bye-laws were confirmed , on Bro . Horsley's notice of motion , " To consider where the lodge shall holtl its meetings in future , " as the lease of the present hall will expire in March nextit was proposedseconded & cthat the subject

, , , , he referred to a committee , viz .: —Bros . Coulton , AV . M . ; Jaquin , S . AV . ; Lonsdale , J . AV . ; Coombes , P . M ., Hon Sec . ; AV . Smith , CE , P . G . S . ; C . Horsley , P . M . ; AVoodward , Treas . ; Davis ; and Swallow . Bro . AVools offered to build a suitable hall for the lodge . Bro . Glenie , " George Hotel" has a large room which was formerly used as the old County Court , which if fitted with alterationsetcmight answer for a lodge

, , room . Bro . Marshall provided a very gooel dinner for about thirty brethren . MONMOUTHSHIRE . PONTYPOOI . —Kennard Lodr / e ( No . 1 , 258 ) . —On Monday last

tbe usual monthly meeting took place in the Ledge Room at the Clarence Hotel . In the absence of the AV . M ., Bro . H . M . Kennard , ( who is now at Newport , Isle of AVight , contesting that borough in the Conservative interest ) , P . M . Bro . Bartholomew Thomas , Prov . G . S . D ., took \ lie chair , and notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather , there was a good attendance of brethren . The minutes of the last meeting having been read and confirmed , Bro . John Knipe of Pontypool , was

ballotted for and unanimously admitted , and that gentleman being in attendance was duly initiated , the ceremony being most correctly rendered hy the acting W . M . Some business of a routine character was then transacted , and the lodge was closed iu harmony at 8 p . m . ' SOUTH WALES ( EASTERN DIVISION ) .

ABERGAVENNY . —Philanthropic Lodge ( No . 818 ) . —Tho instillation mooting of this lodge was held on Friday , October 7 th , 1870 . Th . e officers present were Bros . , 1 . Gosdevi , W . M . ; S . H . Steel , P . M . ; S . Browning , P . M ., Tresis . ; W . C . Freeman , P . M . Sec ; D . Meredith , as SD . ; J . Stvaker , . 1 . 1 ) . ; J . Smith , Dir . of Cers . ; C . Howell , Org . ; C . I ! . AVilliams , Steward ; J . Greene , Tyler . Also Bros . ' II . J . Higgiuson , P . M . ; J . AV ,

Hallam , P . M . 237 ; J . C . Sladen ; C . Tucker ; W . Williams , Juur . ; J . Bishop ; AV . AVilliams ; S . Hill ; S . Eames ; T . Gorvin ; AV . Davis ; J . il organ ; AV . S . H . Pain ; S . Dew ; and J . James . The following visitors were also present : —1 . AVarc , Prov . G . Reg , AV . M . 960 ; J . Holey , 610 ; J . N . Madloy , 1 , 098 ; H . Saundersen , P . M . 925 ( Installing Master ); AV . J . Thomas , AV . M G 79 ; J . Gardner . 1 , 177 ; J . L . A esoy , I ' . Al . 326 , and P . Prov . G . S . B . Bristol ; John Lewis , AV . M ., 1 , 098 ; J . Phillips , S . AV ,