Provincial.

was opened in the third degree , and thoso Brethren were raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason . Both ceremonies were excellently rendered by the W . M . Tho Lodge was then closed in due form .

CONCORD LODGE , No . 1534 . THE regular meeting took place at Chester Bank , Prestwich , on Thursday , 20 th ult ., Bro . H . B . Fawssett W . M . After the reading and confirmation of minutes Bro . James Leach was passed to the degree of F . C . by Bro . Wm . Midgley P . M . This ceremony was

succeeded by the raising to the sublime degree of M . M . of Bro . Ralph Bolland by the W . M ., who was assisted by Bros . Dr . F . Stephenson S . W ., and James Kershaw J . W ., the former rendering the ancient Historical Charge , and the latter presenting and explaining the Working Tools to the Candidate .

Among others who were present we noticed Bros . Geo . H . Nield S . D ., A , Whitworth J . D ., D . McCarthy I . G ., Jas . D . Ramage and Wm . Southan Stewards , Past Masters E . S . Done , John Walkden , and R . Hothersall P . P . G . D . D . C . Visitors- . —Bros . John Y . Thorpe I . P . M . 344 , Jno . W . Hallam P . M . 1055 , Alan Mercer P . M . 1170 , Wm . Mosley P . M . 1773 , P . F . Boothby J . W . 308 , E . C . Boardmon and J . B . Sharpies 344 .

AVON LODGE , No . 1633 . T * nHB regular meeting and festival of St . John was held at the Mosley _ L Hotel , Piccadilly , Manchester , on Wednesday , 26 th ult . The Lodge was opened by the Worshipful Master at 4 * 30 p . m ., and the minutes of the previous regular meeting were read and confirmed , after which the Auditors' report and balance sheet were presented to the Lodge and passed .

The Lodge was opened in the second degree by the W . M ., who then vacated the chair of K . S ., and it was assumed by Bro . W . F . Farrington P . M . Installing Master , to whom Bro . Henry Richard Box S . W . was presented to receive the benefits of installation . Bro . Box assented to the ancient charges and regulations , and after being duly obligated was inducted according to established custom by Bro .

Farrington , the ceremony being rendered in a way highly creditable . After the usual formulae , Bro . Box was proclaimed Worshipful Master by Bro . Farrington , and due honour was paid him as such , under the direction of Bro . W . H . Peak P . M . P . P . G . D . C . Bro . 0 . Swinn P . M . P . G . J . D . presented and explained the working tools , and invested the following

Officers with their respective collars and jewels—himself being invested as D . C . by the W . M .: Bros . H . B . Dresser S . W ., C . H . Arnold J . W ., W . Craven P . M . P . G . A . Sec . Treasurer , J . T . Kenworthy P . M . Sec , J . W . Stratton S . D ., C . H . Clubb J . D ., E . Newmann I . G ., J . Macfarlane , A . E . Waddington , and W . Binns Stewards , and J . Pocklington Tyler .

Bro . T . B . Cavanan P . M . delivered the address to the W . M ,, the Wardens were addressed by Bro . Geo . Macfarlane P . M . P . P . G . Supt . of Wks ., and the address to the Brethren , given by Bro . J . T . Kenworthy P . M . Sec , concluded the ceremony of installation . Bro . Geo . Macfarlane was again unanimously re-elected Charity Representative .

Four candidates for initiation were proposed , which augurs well for Bro . Box having a busy aud successful year of office . Hearty good wishes were expressed by the visiting Brethren , who included Bros . C . R . N . Beswicke-Royds Dep . Prov . Grand Master East

Lancashire , W . H . Peak P . M . P . P . G . D . C , C D . Cheetham P . P . G . W ., Thos . Uttley P . M . P . S . G . D ., A . K . Boothroyd P . M . 2359 and 1134 , 0 . Kenworthy W . M . 2144 , T . Johnson P . M . 992 , F . G . Richardson W . M . 1045 , J . Smith P . M . 1052 , H . Clulow I . P . M . 993 , J . W . Sutcliffe 815 , M . B . Salt P . M . 1588 , H . Nicholson 111 , W . H . Barker , A . E . Royds , H . S . Greenwood .

A letter was read from Col . Le Gendre N . Starkie Prov . Grand Master of East Lancashire regretting his absence , in consequence of indisposition , and a communication was also read from Bro . J . Newton Prov . G . Sec , who was likewise indisposed . Letters from other Brethren unable to attend were also read , after which the Lodge was closed in due form .

At 6 * 30 p . m . the Brethren adjourned to the banqueting room , to celebrate the Festival of St . Jobn , where they enjoyed a most excellent dinner arranged by Bro . W . Ross-Cattanach , the justly celebrated manager of the Hotel . The usual Loyal and Masonic toasts were given and enthusiastically received , which , together with songs , recitations , sketches , & c , by Bros . Boothroyd , Kenworthy , and W . Ross-Cattanach , rendered the occasion an exceedingly enjoyable one from beginning to end .

In the course of the evening a Past Master ' s jewel was presented by Bro . Box W . M . to his predecessor .

MINNEHAHA MINSTREL LODGE , No . 2363 . THE regular meeting was held at the Victoria Hotel , Manchester , on Monday , 24 th ult ., there being an attendance of over thirty members and visitors . After the confirmation of minutes , and the reading of an ancient charge , Bro . Maurice Julius Langdon was passed to the second degree bv Bro . Seth Wrigley P . M . P . P . G . J . D . D . of C , assisted by Bro . Thomas Hamnett S . W . , who presented and explained the Working Tools . Brother William Cowley Grundy was then raised to the sublime degree of M . M . by Bro . Fred . Hilton

P . M . P . P . G . D . C . Bro . Wrigley , in very eloquent and touching terms , reverted to the absence through illness of Bro . Martin Thomas P . M . P . P . G . D . He also mentioned the fact that , Brother Thomas had met with a double affliction in the loss of his son , who had died abroad ; and the Secretary was instructed to communicate with him and tender the sympathy of the members to him in his bereavemant .

Before closing the Lodge , a report was submitted by the Committee appointed to arrange for a ladies' social . Bro . Sam Luke J . W ., who had been appointed Secretary of the same , announced that there had already been twenty-eight acceptances . Bro . Fred Hilton , acting on behalf of the Worshipful Master , who was absent , urged the Brethren to give every support possible to the principal Officer on the 28 th February , tho date of the social in question .

A very pleasant evening followed , the items of entertainment being supplied by Bros . Hilton , C . H . Beever P . M . Sec , S . H . Stubbs S . D ., F . Todd J . D ., W . H . Purdy Org ., 0 . W . Jones P . M ., T . C . Deakin S . W . 326 , E . L . Barritt 1052 , Edwd . Roberts P . M . 1459 , and John R . Purdy 2482 .

Provincial.

INSTRUCTION LODGE , No . 581 . THE second of the twice-monthly meetings was held at the Old Boar ' s Head , Withy Grove , Manchester , on Tuesday , 25 th ult ., Bro . Alfred Hebden P . M . 1458 P . P . G . D . D . C . Preceptor . The principal chair was occupied by Bro . Wm . Yeadon W . M . 1496 , whilst Bros . Wm . Greg I . P . M . 2144 acted as S . W ., R . H . Berry 1011 as J . W ., George Rodgers 1083 as I . G ., Geo . Robinson 1459 as S . D ., and Matthew Goth 581 as J . D .

A ceremony of raising was rehearsed , the candidate being Bro . J . A . Lord S . W . 2144 . Bro . Geo . T . Lenard Treasurer P . M . 1077 rendered the ancient Historical Charge in a very careful manner . Besides those mentioned above there were present Bros . Geo . W . Davies Secretary P . M . 1459 , Godfrey Higham P . M . 1083 P . P . G . D . D . C , Edward Roberts P . M . 1459 , Robert Adshead W . M . 581 , Chas . H . Griffiths J . W . 581 , R . F . Boothby J . W . 308 , and others .

Royal Arch.

ROYAL ARCH .

CONCORD CHAPTER , No . 124 . A CONVOCATION was held in the Freemasons' Hall , Durham , on the 25 th ult ., the M . E . Z . Comp . Hy . Brown P . G . D . C presiding . The occasion was rendered additionally interesting by the presence of many visiting Companions , especially the Provincial Grand Officers for the present year .

During the course of the evening Bro . T . J . R . Hindmarch , of the Norman Lodge , No . 1334 , and Bro . H . E . Ferens duly presented themselves , and being obligated by the M . E . Z ., were solemnly exalted to the rank of Companion of the Royal Arch by Comp . Walton P . S . The symbolical lecture was ably delivered by Comp . Booth , after which the mystical lecture was impressively delivered by Comp . Brown Z .

SINCERITY CHAPTER , No . 189 . THE installation meeting was held in St . George ' s Hall , Stonehouse , on the 24 th ult ., when a large number of Companions were present , including several Past Principals and Visitors . The M . E . Z . Comp . Major Shanks in the first place exalted a candidate ,

and then proceeded to instal the Principals for the ensuing year , performing the ceremonies in a very excellent and impressive manner , worthy of all praise . The new Officers are : —Companions J . Parker Z ., F . E . Sach H ., J . Pittuck J . 0 . Dunsterville Treasurer , G . Dunsterville S . E ., & c .

, ' This Chapter has considerably added to its numbers during the past year , and its finances are in a very satisfactory condition .

YARBOROUGH CHAPTER , No . 811 . THE annual convocation and banquet took place at the Royal Pavilion , Brighton , on Wednesday , 2 nd inst . Comp . 0 . Baguley was installed M . E . Z . for the ensuing year , the ceremony being most ably performed by Comp . Pearce P . Z .

Subsequently the company adjourned to the banqueting room , where a very pleasant evening was spent . Comp . Lieut .-General O . W . Randolph , in reponding as Superintendent , spoke of the pleasure it gave him to be present , and congratulated the Companions of the Chapter that the Yarborough was still the largest in the Province .

WILLIAMSON CHAPTER , No . 949 . A CONVOCATION took place afc the Masonic Hal ! , North Bridge Street , Sunderland , on Tuesday , 1 st inst ., under the presidency of Comp . F . W . Ingram M . E . Z . The ceremony of installation was ably performed by Comp . J . D . Todd 94 , who placed Comp . E . Lautebach in the chair of Z ., and T . Harrison in that of H .

Subsequently , at the refreshment board , the health of the First Principal was proposed by Comp . G . W . Bain , and suitably responded to . Companion 3 . G . Kirtley proposed the visitors , and this was duly acknowledged .

UNITY CHAPTER , No . 1151 . A MEETING was held at Tywardreath , on Tuesday , 23 rd ult ., for the installation of the Principals for the year . Comp . Major Shanks First Principal remains in office , having been re-elected to that important post . Comps . W . J . Samble and F . J . Denison were installed as H . and J . by Comp . Shanks , who rendered the beautiful and solemn work in a faultless style , and was heartily thanked by the Companions .

EBORACUM CHAPTER , No . 1611 . rr * IHE annual convocation was held at the Masonic Hall , St . Saviourgate , I York , on Tuesday , when Comps . T . G . P . Barlow , J . L . Spetch , and J . Smith were installed in the principal chairs .

SHURMUR CHAPTER , No . 2374 . A CONVOCATION was held at the Royal Forest Hotel , Chingford , on Thursday , 27 th nic ., the Principals being Comps . Ben Johnson Z ., W . Gower H ., and S . C . Kaufman 3 . There were also present Comps . William Shurmur P . P . G . J ., George Graveley P . P . A . G . S ., John Byford P . P . G . S ., C H . Bestow S . E ., P . Trickctc S . N ., J . R . Carter P . S ., G . J . Pointer , and M ! Blick Asst . S ., John Hamilton D . C , J . F . Haskins , and many others .

The Chapter was duly opened , and the Companions admitted , when the minutes of tho last convocation in September were read . The ballot was then taken and proved iu favour oi Bros . William George Beaumont , George Barker , and James Clark being admitted as members of the Chapter .

These Brethren were then introduced and were regularly exalted in Royal Arch Masonry . The first two addresses were delivered b y Comps . Kaufman and Gower . Comp . Johnson explained tho signs , and Comp ! William Shurmur gave tho rest of the Symbolical Lecture .

A Past Principal ' s "jewel was presented to Comp . Byford , for which he expressed his sincere thanks . There being no further business the Chapter was closed and the Companions adjourned to dinner .