Provincial.

a banquet prepared and served in a manner which left nothing to be desired . The Worshipful Master presided , ancl , after dinner , submitted the toasts of the Queen , the Prince of Wales M . W . G . M ., and the other rulers of tho Craft .

The I . P . M . Brother Long , in an effective speech proposed the health of tho uewly-installcd W . M ., to whose rule , he said , the members of thc Lodge looked forward with tho most pleasurable anticipations . Tho toast was received with great enthusiasm , and Brother McCallum P . M . sung , in splendid style , tho fine Masonic song— " Here ' s to his health . "

The Worshipful Master , in reply , expressed the gratification he felt , in having conferred upon him the highest honour it was in the power of the Brethren to bestow . The Lodge , he said , had this year attained its majority , and it would be his earnest endeavour to seo that , for the next twelve months , its course should be even

more prosperous and successful than it had been iu tho days of its minority . He recognised to tho full the responsiblity that was now imposed upon him , but he did not doubt , with that assistance from the Past Masters which had always been rendered to his predecessors , he should maintain the credit and reputation of the Lodge .

Tho Master proposed the health of the I . P . M . who , ho saM , had been a most worthy occupant of the Master's chair , and ho had endeared himself to the Brethren by the zeal and efficiency with which he had discharged the duties of the office . Amid loud cheers he presented to Bro . Long a handsome P . M . ' s jewel .

Bro . Long thanked the Brethren for their appreciation of his services as W . M ., also for the very handsome presentation thoy had made him . Bro . Biggs P . M . proposed the toast of the Visiting Brethren , which was responded to by Bros . Morrison , Threlfall , Farrington , Martyne , Coppock , and Scarlett .

Bro . Burslem P . M . then gave the health of the Installing Master , remarking upon Bro . Gillman's long and valued services to the Lodge , of which , he said , he was the honoured " Father . " Since its Consecration he had been untiring in his efforts for its welfare , and he occupied the unique position of having installed every W . M . who had passed its chair . '

Bro . Gillman P . P . S . G . D ., in responding , gave an interesting account of the foundation and career of the Trafiord Lodge . It had , he said , had a happy and prosperous growth , and under its newlyinstalled W . M . he augured for it a period of increasing success . The toast of the Masonic Charities was submitted by Brother Preston J . W . He commended the great London Masonic

Institutions to tho support of tho Brethren , and , referring to tho excellent Charities founded in tho Province of West Lancashire , said they also were deserving of all tho aid that could be extended to them . Their value and usefulness was apparent when ho mentioned that the West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution alone provided for the education of 212 children .

Tho W . M . proposed the health of the newly-invested Officers ; and the remaining toasts included that of the Past Masters , proposed by Bro . Knight S . W . The musical arrangements wero very complete and enjoyable . Bro . Keay presided at the piano , and songs were rendered by Bros . M'Callum , Owles , Alliri , Lees , Moggvidgo , and Scarlett . Some recitations were given by Bro . E . Lissondcn , in a manner which evoked loud applause . o o o

LODGE OF SYMPATHY , No . 483 . THE Annual Festival took place on Wednesday , at the Eoyal Clarendon Hotel , Gravesend , when so large a number of Brethren assembled that the ordinary Lodge Eoom was too small , and the ceremonies were therefore held in tho Banquettiiig Hall .

Bro . Thos . T . Hogg W . M . presided , being supported by his Officers and the following distinguished Brethren : W . M . P . Arthur District G . S . W . of Hong Kong and South China , J . Percy White P . M . Limassol , Cyprus , Chas . Cobham P . P . G . S . of W . Durham , C Hind P M . 1837 , Georgo T . King P . A . G . P . Kent , Arthur Eonaldson

P . G . A . S . Kent , R . J . Beamish P . G . D . C , Henry Doughty P . G . S . B ., Joseph Solomon P . M . 77 , Geo . Eackstraw I . P . M . 77 , E . B . Dowsett W . M . 2063 , Orlton Cooper P . M . 211 , H . G . Woodford W . M . 1464 , Geo . J . Spicer P . M . 87 , G . Casper Paine , Mayor of Gravesend , J . M . Jeffery P . M ., W . E . Alexander 1050 , A . C . Arthur 299 , and many others from the neighbouring Lodges .

The Lodge was opened soon after four o'clock , after which the minutes of the two last meetings were read and confirmed . The Treasurer's Eeport , showing a favourable balance , was received and adopted .

After the Lodge had been opened in the second degree Brother Hogg vacated the chair in favour of Bro . Beamish , who had kindly consented to act as Installing Master , the Officers appointed to assist him being Bros . Doughty as S . W ., J . P . Moore P . M . as J . W ., and Orlton Cooper as D . C .

Bro . Thomas Hitchins Lygo , having been unanimously elected as Worshipful Master for the ensuing year , was then presented by Brother Hogg , and signified his assent to the ancient charges and regulations .

A Board of sixteen Installed Masters was formed , and Bro . Lv go was inducted into the chair of King Solomon according to ancient custom . The ceremony was admirably rendered by Bro . Beamish , whose subsequent delivery of the addresses elicited the hearty approval of tho Brethren .

The newly-made Master was then saluted in the various degrees by the Brethren , and proceeded to invest the foJlcwiug Officers ¦ Bros . H . Forss ( by proxy ) S . W ., W . Hawker J . W ., Thos . T . Hcgg I . P . M . Treasurer , Arthur Eonaldson Secretary , C . Matthews S D H . Watts J . D ., T . Galer I . G ., J . C Aylen Organist , J . N Willis D . C , W . C Comteii A . D . C , A . J . Walklin and W . S . Bowen Stewards , George Martin ( for the forty-ninth time ) Tyler . Brother

Provincial.

Arthur Ronaldson P . M . P . G . A . S . was elected as Charity Representative of the Lodge . A cordial vote of thanks was accorded to Bro . R . J . Beamish for hia services as Installing Master , which he duly acknowledged . The W . M ., in a few appropriate remarks , presented the very

handsome Lodgo jewel to Bro . T . T . Hogg , who suitably returned thanks . As a further mark of appreciation this presentation waa supplemented by a gift from tho Officers of the Lodge , which took the form of a photographic album , mounted on a stand , and containing the portraits of the donors . On the front page the following inscription was illuminated in colours :

Presented to Bao . THOS . T . HOGG I . P . M . By the Past Masters and Officers of the Lodge of Sympathy , No . 483 , as a mark of respect and acknowledgement of his valued and efficient services during his year of office as Worshipful Master ,

1893-94 . Bro . Hogg , who laboured under considerable emotion , expressed his gratitude at this additional present , which came as a very pleasant surprise . He should cherish it as one of his dearest possessions and would regard it as a testimony of their Brotherly love and good will .

The W . M . having received the hearty good wishes and congratulations of the Visitors , then closed the Lodge , and the company adjourned for a short time while the room was prepared for the banquet . This was served by Brother A . J , Baldock in his usual excellent style . At its termination the W . M . with commendable brevity , considering tho lengthy list , gave the customary Loyal and Masonic toasts , which were duly honoured .

Bro . H . Doughty P . P . G . J . D . who , by reason of his seniority has become " the Father " of the Lodge , and Bro . Beamish P . G . D . C . responded for the Provincial Grand Officers . In feeling terms Bro . Hogg I . P . M . proposed the health of the W . M ., with full confidence that he would prove worthy of the post

he had now to fill . He trusted that Bro . Lygo would find the duties of his year of office as pleasant as he had done , and he would then have a pleasurable remembrance for the rest of his life , The W . M . having returned thanks , proceeded to propose the Installing Master .

Brother Beamish , in response , said that his work had been a labour of love , and if ho had given satisfaction to the Brethren he was more than repaid . Bro . Hogg , on rising to reply to tho toast of his health , received a very cordial greeting , and bore testimony to tho assistance he

had received from all his Officers , especially Bro . Beamish , whicb had contributed so much to tho success of the Lodge . The kind presentations of tho Brethren that evening only intensified the feelings of his heart , and he tendered one and all his sincere and hearty thanks .

All tho Past Masters who wero present acknowledged the toast in their honour , Bro . Doughty remarking that during his twenty-five years membership he had never known the Lodge to make such wonderful strides as it hacl during tho last fow years , and he certainly never expected to seo so many members . The manner of rendering thc ritual was perfect ; second to none in the Province of Kent .

Replying for the Visitors , Bro . W . M . P . Arthur gavo some interesting particulars oi the state of Freemasonry in South China , and said ho had learned a good deal by his visits to the English Lodges . Amid much merriment all tho Visitors present added a few remarks .

Bro . Ronaldson , speaking for tho Masonic Charities , said that Kent possessed one of the best Charity Boards in tho Kingdom , and other Provinces wore imitating their system of work . He urged upon the Brethren tho necessity of helping the Board by sending

all the votes they could spare to Bro . J . S . Eastes , to whom last year the Biethren had given a perpetual presentation for the Boys ' School , and he was pleased to inform them that a Gravesend Boy had been selected for the vacancy .

The Officers of the Lodgo were then honoured , and the Tyler ' s toast brought the proceedings to a happy termination at a late hour .

Bro . Thomas Hitchins Lygo was born 111 Gravesend , in 1853 . He was Initiated into Freemasonry under tho Scottish Constitution , in the Firth of Clyde Ledge , No . 620 , held at Gourock , in 1879 , and became a Joining Member of the Lodge of Sympathy , No . 483 , about six years ago . He filled most of the subordinate offices before being elected to the chair . He is also a member of the Firth of Clyde Mark Lodge , but has not held office .

o o o LODGE OF INTEGRITY , No . 163 . THE regular meeting was held at the Masonic Hall , Manchester , on Wednesday , 26 th ult ., Bro . J . M . H . Blarney Worshipful Master .

The principal business of the evening was the passing to the second degree of Bros . Alfred Cresswell , the ceremony being performed by the W . M . with the assistance of Bro . T . H . Scholfield I . P . M ., the latter presenting and explaining the working tools .

At the festive board which followed , Loyal and Masonic toasts were honoured . Upwards of thirty Brethren wero in attendance , amongst others being Bros . S . Kelly P . M . 645 , A . H . Dodd 992 , Joseph Hudson 1061 , R . Cookson 1061 , George H . Kew 1993 and Bro . Cliff Prov . G . D . C . The latter , accompanied by Bro . J . E . Williams P . M . Prov . G . D . D . C put in a late appearance , having been at the Consecration of the Abbey Lodge at Whalley .

A very pleasant evening was spent , the various toasts being relieved by songs , & c , rendered by Bros . Blarney , Owles , Gaskell , Williams , Garlick , and others .