Provincial.

as a weather-vane , it being considered peculiarly ^ appropriate both as a Masonic emblem and to surmount a building consecrated to Divine worship , we therefore venture to appeal to our brethren , although at distance , to assist us in the object . The cost of the spire will be about £ 250 , towards which there is already promised about £ 100 ; and unless the remainder can be raised , it is feared the last named sum will be lost , which we

trust will be sufficient apology for this appeal during a period of unexampled distress in the district . If it should fortunately happen that there be any overplus after the completion of the spire , it is intended to apply it towards a clock ancl bell or bells . " Any contributions forwarded to Bro . Edmund Smith , P . M . 363 , and one of the churchwardens , Inchfield Villa ; Bro . Jas . Green , P . M . 363 ancl 676 , Portsmouth House , architect , both near Todmorden ; or to us , the undersigned , will be gratefully received and acknowledged .

" We are , W . Sir and brethren , " Yours fraternally , "TITOS . LOED , W . M . 26 G . "JAS . JACKSON , W . M . 363 . " June Srd , 1863 . " Jso . BEOMLEY , P . M . 353 , Hon . Sec . " MAXCHESTEE . —Lodge of Virtue ( No . 153 , late 177 . )—The regular meeting of this lodge was held at the Masonic Rooms

Cross-street , Manchester , on Friday , the 21 st inst . ; Bro . John Bradley , W . M ., in the chair , and the following officers and brethren being present : —Bros . Rev . J . L . Figgius , P . M ., chaplain of the lodge , and Prov . G . Chap . E . L . ; John Chadwick , P . M . and Sec ; T . R . Williams , P . M . ; Alfred Hammond , P . M . ; John Holgate , J . W . ; T . A . Broadbent , S . D . ; Rev . W . Cave , John Francis , & c . The lodge having been opened , the ballot was taken for Messrs . Ralh AshtonJames W . MitchellJohn Lees ,

p , , and Charles Gillespie , and declared to be in their favour . Mr . Ashton and Mr . Lees were then initiated into Masonry in ancient form , and Bros . Francis and Hollingsworth were passed to the second degree . Several gentlemen having been proposed for initiation at the next regular meeting , the lodge was closed by the W . M ., and the brethren adjourned to refreshment . Upon the cloth being drawn , after the usual loyal Masonic toasts , the W . M . proposed , " The newly initiated brethren , " and especially

alluded to Bro . Lees , who hacl heen proposed by their old and esteemed Bro . Burslem , and trusted he would follow in the footsteps and be an honour to his proposer . —Bros . Ashton and Lees briefly returned thanks . —Bro . the Rev . W . Cave then proposed the P . M . ' s of tha lodge , in very complimentary terms , which was ably responded to by Bros . P . il . Williams and Hammond . —Bro . T . E . Williams , P . M ., then proposed the health of Bro . John Bradley , the W . M ., and stated how very much pleasure he had in doing so , and that it was gratifying to himself and the

brethren to welcome Bro . Bradley back again to tbe lodge after his severe illness . He also alluded to Bro . Bradley ' s services as secretary of the "Masonic Hall Company , " and , as a director , stated that no one knew the difficulties that Bro . Bradley had to overcome . Many schemes of the sort had been attempted , but none succeeded until the present secretary took it in hand ; and , as the laying the foundation-stone on the 25 th ult . would ever be remembered as a red letter day in Masonry , so

had the Lodge of Virtue cause to be proud of its W . M ., for the many , great , and valuable services rendered to Masonry . Bro . Bradley having entered the lodge a few months after himself , he had carefully watched his career , having been iii office almost ever since his initiation , working his way up to the chair ; and in addition to having acted as secretary to the Masonic Hall Company , he had also been secretary to the Charity Committee of

the _ Provincial Grand Lodge , treasurer to the Manchester Relief Committee , and for three years treasurer for the Masonic Club , and other offices . He finally concluded a most able speech by expressing a hope that the Great Architect of the Universe would be pleased to complete Bro . Bradley's restoration to health , ancl that when he had fulfilled his term as W . M . he would be able for many years to work as a P . M . ofthe lodge . —

The toast having been most enthusiastically drunk , the W . M . responded , and said that he felt extremely obliged to Bro . Williams and the brethren for their good wishes , that it had been a source of deep regret that he had been prevented b y illness from filling the chair as he would have wished , and took the opportunity of thanking the P . M . 's of the lodge for their kind and able assistance , ancl hoped that whilst he remained amongst them , he should ever continue to merit their regard . The brethren broke up about 10 . 30 , having spent a most harmonious evening .

Australia.

AUSTRALIA .

CRAFT MASONRY . { From the Melbourne Masonic Journal . ) PEOVKTCIAL GEAND LODGE OS VICTOEIA ( E . G . ) . The quarterly communication of this lodge was held at the Masonic Rooms , St . Patrick's Hall , Melbourne , on Monday , 15 tlt June , 1863 .

Bro . Captain P . C . Standish . Prov . G . M ., in the chair-Present : —Bros . II . St . John Clark , D . Prov . G . M . ; Denny Harris , Prov . S . G . W . ; Thomas Loader , Prov . J . G . W . ; Rev .. Bro . Wyatt , Prov . G . D ., acted as Prov . G . Chap ., in the absence of the Rev . Bro . M . Bardin , Prov . G . Chap . ; Ii . T . Tracy ,. Prov . G . Treas . ; T . H . Lempriere , Prov . G . Sec . ; E . Levick , P . Prov . G . Sec ; R . H . Emery , Prov . S . G . D . The Prov . G . Stewards , Masters , Past Masters , ancl Wardens of

several lodges . The lodge was opened in due form with solemn prayer . The minutes of the quarterly communication , held on the-16 th March last , were read and confirmed . The roll of the lodges was then called over , and about twentyfive lodges were represented . The Prov . G . Sec . then read a list of dispensations granted since last quarterly communication . Bro . W . Daish , was invested with the collar of Prov . G . Dir ..

of Cers . ; and Rev . Bro . Wyatt with the collar of Prov . J . G . D . Bro . James , P . M ., moved that an address should be presented to Her Majesty by the Masons of Victoria , setting forth thenloyalty , and expressing their sincere wishes for the future happiness of the Prince and Princess of Wales , and that the Prov . G . M . should be empowered to sign it on behalf of the Masonic body in Victoria . The motion was seconded by the Prov . S . G . W .

The Prov . G . M . put the resolution to the Provincial Grand Lodge , and stated his concurrence with the sentiments ofthe resolution , and his regret that it did not emanate from himself . The motion was carried unanimously . The Prov . S . G . W . then requested to bring forward a resolution for the disposal of the sum of £ 253 now lying in the bank to the credit of the three Prov . G . Masters , but as notice of the motion had not been given , it was not entertained , but was

received as a notice of motion , to be placed before the Quarterly Communication in September next . The Prov . G . Sec . stated that in consequence of the alteration of the hour of meeting , that the Board of Benevolence had held eight meetings during the quarter ending June , 1 S 63 . while only two meetings of that Board had been held during the quarter March , 1863 . AU business being ended , tho Provincial Grand Lodge was closed in due form with solemn prayer .

MELBOTJE ]_ E . —Australasia Felix Lodge of Hiram ( I . C . )— -At the regular meeting of this lodge , Bro . John Smith , Prov . G . M .,. in the chair , the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . A board of P . M . ' s was then formed , when the Prov . G . M ., assisted by Bro . Ii . Levick , P . M ., and nine other P . M . ' s dulyinstalled Bro . J . Can- into the chair of W . M . of the lodge . The brethren were then admitted , and the installation having been duly proclaimed , tho following officers were invested : —Bros .

Solomon Lazarus , S . W . ; M . Hymen , See . ; M . Meers , Treas . ; A . J . Clarke , Tyler . The other lodge officers have not been nominated nor elected . Mr . Barnet Solomon was proposed as a candidate for initiation . Bro . David Rosenthal was proposed as a joining member . The notice of motion for the consideration of the propriety of establishing a Grand Lodge was postponed until the next regular meeting . When this postponement was agreed to , the Prov . G . M . said that his duties might hinder him

from being present at the next meeting of the Lodge of Hiram ., and asked permission to speak a few words on the subject of establishing a Grand Lodge for Victoria . He wished to make a few observations , not as Prov . G . M ., "but as a P . M . of the Hiram Lodge , of which he was the oldest member . He did not wish to influence the judgment of any of his brethren , but would request of the W . M . to consider that if the lodge of Hiram entertained such a propositionhis name should be withdrawn

, from its list of members , as ho considered that it was not competent for the majority to do away with the lodge . Tho minority as long as they numbered seven , could hold the warrant and enjoy their Masonic privileges . He made these observations on account of the manner in which some lodges acted . It was or-