Provincial.

transaction of Masonic business , on tho ground that it would be a misappropriation of the funds of the institution , but the ll . W . D . Prov . Grand Masler refused to allow it to be put , on the ground that the Prov . Grand Lodge was not asked to give an opinion on the matter , the circular of the Board of General Purposes having been sent to each private Lodge , where the members had had an opportunity of expressing their opinions . After some further business was transacted , tho Prov . Grand Lodge was closed in ample form . At four o'clock the brethren

reassembled at a banquet , distinguished alike for its elegance and abundance , and the kind attention given by Bro . Poachey to the assembled guests . The usual Masonic , toasts were given and drunk with enthusiasm . Among them was that of Bro . Dr . Pope , the W . M ., and founder of the Pilgrim ' s Lodge , which was received with rapturous applause , and drunk with Masonic honours .

WALES , SOUTH . PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE AT NEATH . . The annual Provincial Grand Lodge was held at the Masonic Hall , Neath , on Friday , the 5 th August , under the presidency of the R . W . Prov . G . M . Colonel C . K . Kemcys Tynte , supported ' by P , ros . Dr . Bird , D . Prov . G . M . ; M . Moggridgc , Prov . S . G . W . ; JWRussellPProvGWRFLangleyProvG N

. . , . . .. ; . . , . . Reg . ; . B . Allen , Prov . G . Treas . ; Geo . Allen , Prov . G . Sec . ; R . " Jones , Prov . J G . D . ; ' F . D . Michael , Prov . G . Dir . of Cers . ; Wm . Cox , Prov . G . Org , and other provincial officers and brethren . . The Prov . Grand Lodge having been opened in solemn form , the minutes of the proceedings of the last Provincial Grand Meeting , at Brecon , were read by the Prov . G . Sec , and duly confirmed ' ; after which the Prov . G . Treasurer ' s accounts were received , auditedand passed .

, The R . W . Prov . Grand Master then called the attention of the brethren to a letter from the Grand Secretary on the subject of the Masonic Schools , in which the R . W . brother appeared to take a strong interest ; he urged the claims of these institutions forcibly and earnestly , and recommended the establishment of provincial committees for the purpose of assisting and extending the advantages of ' these excellent charities . From the appeal made by the R . W . Prov . G . M . we doubt not that at the earliest opportunity the

, several W . M ' s . in the district will bring the subject before their respective Lodges , and will endeavour to co-operate in this good work . The usual votes for charitable purposes were then agreed to , viz ., the annual subscriptions to the Masonic Schools for Boys and Girls ; to tho Swansea Deaf and Dumb Asylum , Sro . ; also a donation to the Neath Schools . After which the R . W . Prov . Grand Master appointed his officers for the ensuing year , in the following order : —

Pros . Alexander Rassett , Prov . S . G . W . ; R . S . Langlev , Prov . J . G . W . ; Theo . Mansel Talbot , Prov . G- Reg . ; Geo . Allen , Prov . G . Sec ; Root . Jones , Prov . S . G . D . ; Edward J . Morris , Prov . G . J . D . ; P . H . Rowland , Prov . G . Supt . of Works ; F . D . Michael , Prov . G Dir . of Cers . ; Jas . Gawn , Prov . G . Org . ; Blunt and Donaldson , Prov . G . Stewards . Bro . N . B . Allen was unanimously re-elected Prov . G . Treas . The R . W . Prov . Grand Master , accompanied by his officers and the members of the Prov . Grand Lodgethen visited the Neath

, Lodge , which was hold in the new and extensive school-rooms adjoining the Masonic Hall , kindly lent for the occasion , and where the members of the various Lodges of the district were assembled in goodly numbers . The R . W . Prov . Grand Master was warmly greeted , the brethren , under the direction of Bro . F . D . Michael " , Prov . G . Div . of Cevs ., giving the customary salutes of welcome in good Masonic style . The R . W . Prov . Grand Master having acknowledged the compliment , in a very feeling and eloquent address ,

the brethren formed in procession and proceeded to the parish church , to attend divine service . The sermon was preached by the rector , the Rev John Griffiths . At the conclusion of the service , the brethren returned to the Lodge-rooms in the same order , ( preceded by the excellent hand of Mr . Hallam , of the Forest Tin Works , who had kindly placed their services at the disposal of the brethren for the day ) , passing through the principal streetswhich presented a very lively appearancethe

, , windows and balconies being filled with ladies'and interested spectators . The usual collection for charity was then made , and the amount liberally contributed was , at the suggestion of the R . W , Prov . Grand Master , placed at the disposal of the rector for the poor of the town . After which the R . W . Prov . Grand Master and his

officers returned to the Provincial Grand Lodge , which was closed in ancient and solemn form . The brethren re-assembled at the Castle hotel , at four o ' clock , when about ninety sat down to partake of the excellent fare provided for them by Bro . Hancock ; and during the dinner the band played several choice selections , contributing much to their gratification . The greatest praise is due to Bro . P . H . Rowland , W . M . of the Neath Lodge , for the excellent manner in which everything was arranged for the convenience of the brethren , which gave complete satisfaction . The brethren separated at an early hour , having passed a most agreeable day . The next Provincial Grand Lodge will be held at Aberdare .

DORSETSHIRE . PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE AT BRIDPORT . On Thursday , the 11 th August , the Right Worshipful Bro . Joseph Gundry , Prov . Grand Master of Dorset , held his first . Grand Lodge since his appointment to this distinguished office , for the purpose of re-organizing the various Grand Offices of the provinces , which had been some time in abeyanceowing to the decease of tho late Prov .

, Grand Master , Bro . H . 11 . Wiliett , and latterly had only been under the charge of Bro . Roxburgh , the Grand Registrar of . England . The Prov . Grand Lodge having been opened in ancient form , a Board of Installed Masters was first held , at which tho Prov . Grand Master was duly installed . The Prov . Grand Lodge was then opened for the admission of the brethren of the several Lodges , who inscribed their names on entering to the number of upwards of one hundred .

After attending divine service at AHington church , the brethren returned to the Townhall , when after the transaction of a variety of business , including approbation of the Grand Treasurer's accounts , which that functionary stated showed the funds of the province to be in a more flourishing condition than ever before had been the case during his term of office , the Prov . Grand Master made the . following nomination of Grand Officers , who were all called up to the dais and invested by Bro . the Rev . Thomas Pearce , No . 548 . D . Prov . G M ., viz .: —Bros . Thos . Coombs , W . M . No . 605 , Prov !

S . G . W . ; Phippard , W . M . No . 542 , Prov . J . G . W . ; the Rev . J . St . John . Prov . G . Chaplain ; Hannen , No . 694 , Prov . G . Treas . ; F . Coscns , W . M ., No . 1009 , Prov . G . Reg . ; J . Maunders , W . M . No . 199 , Prov . G . Sec ; W . Parr , W . M . No . 160 , Prov S . GD . ; R . N . Howard , J . W . No . 199 , Prov . J . G . D . ; J . Soppit , No . 542 , Prov . G . Supt . of Works ; Godden , No . . 963 , Prov . G , Dir . of Cers . ; T . Rawlins , No . 905 , Prov . Asst . G . Div . of Cers . ; W . Manlev , S . W . No . 1009 , Prov . G . S . B . ; Robinson , No . 605 , Prov G . Org . ' ; Bosworth , No . 199 , Prov . G . Purs ; Prov . Grand Stewards—Bros . E .

Colborn , No , 610 ; W . Godwin , No . 694 ; J . P . Gundry , No . 1009 ; R . Phillips , No . 640 ; Lovelace , No . 605 , Prov . G . Tyler . The venerable and respected Prov . G . Tyler , Bro . Fairie , having—from infirmity and advanced years—been obliged to tender his resignation ; as an acknowledgment of his long and faithful services , a gratuity of bl . was granted him . The thanks of the Prov . Grand Lodge were voted to the Vicar of Allingtoa for the use of his church ; to the Rev . J . B . Ferris for officiating ; to the Mayor for bis grant of tho use of the Town Hall ;

to Mr . Case and the choir for their services , and most especially to the Rev . Henry Rawlinson for the truly Masonic sermon he had preached . The Prov . Grand Lodge was then , after the transaction of the remaining business , closed with all due foimality . The banquet took place at four o ' clock , at the Bull hotel , where Bro . Knight provided an excellent dinner .

STAFFORDSHIRE . PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE AT STAFFORD . On Tuesday , the 9 th August , the brethren of this province rr . et in Prov . Grand Lodge , at the Shire Hall , Stafford : upwards of one hundred brethren were present . The Prov . Grand Lodge was opened in ancient and solemn form at high twelve , by the R . W . Prov . Grand MasterBro .

Lieutenant-, Colonel Vernon , assisted by his Deputy and the Provincial Grand Officers . The gratifying announcement was made that during the past twelve months the Freemasons of Staffordshire had nearly doubled their number , and now counted about six hundred . The official