Provincial.

STAR IN THE EAST LODGE , No . 650 . THE anniversary meeting was held at the Masonic Hall , Great Eastern Hotel , Harwich , on Tuesday , 12 th inst ., when Bro . W . C . Grice was installed Worshipful Master for the ensuing year , the installation ceremony

being impressively performed by Bro . A . J . H . Ward P . M . P . P . G . S . W . The installation banquet was subsequently held in the handsome Coffee Room of the Great Eastern Hotel , under the presidency of the W . M . The repast was excellently served under the supervision of Bro . Brown , of the Great Eastern Railway Company ' s Refreshment Department .

The usual toasts were submitted , the principal , of course , being that of the Worshipful Master , whose advent to office was welcomed in enthusiastic terms . The Worshipful Master , in response , acknowledged with gratitude the honour conferred upon him , and trusted that during his year ' of office he would uphold the traditions of the Lodge in the dignity of its proceedings .

PORTLAND LODGE , No . 637 . THE Brethren celebrated the festival of St . John and the installation of the W . M ., at the Town Hall , Stoke , on Thursday , 7 th inst ., the W . M .-elect on this occasion being Bro . Carter Senior Warden of the past year . A large number of Brethren assembled ,. the total being sixty-seven , and closely approaching a record attendance . The ceremony of installation was very efficiently performed by the retiring W . M . Bro . E . Harding .

It is worthy of note that Bro . Kingston ' s investiture as Tyler was the twenty-sixth occasion on which he had received the collar , and that during the whole of that period he had neither been absent or late at any meeting of the Lodge . Before closing , a vote of condolence was passed with the widow of the late Bro . Penn .

The Brethren adjourned to the Copeland Arms , where a banquet in keeping with this old-established house was served by the proprietress , Mrs . Raynes , and to which about sixty sat down .

HENGIST LODGE . No . 195 . ON . Wednesday , 29 th ult ,, the first conversazione in cqnnection with this Lodge , of which Bro . C J . Whitting is W . M ., was held in the Bourne Hall Hotel , West Bournemouth . The arrangements were carried out by a committee , having Bro . F . T . Cutler S . W . as Secretary . Members of sister Lodges and visiting Brethren were invited , vritb lady

friends , and it was decided to issue a limited number of tickets to gentlemen not belonging to the-Fraternity . Brethren attending the conversazione were desired to appear in full Masonic costume , with jewels and insignia of their rank and office . The company altogether numbered about 120 , the inclemency of the weather no doubt militating against a larger attendance .

. The company as they arrived were received by Bro . Whitting , and then passed into the ball room , where a selection of music was being performed by Bro . Walter J . Evans' orchestra . Following the reception came a programme of vocal , and instrumental selections , and light refreshments were provided in the supper room . After the short interval allowed for refreshments a -programme of dances was gone through .

UNITY LODGE , No . 71 . THE 150 th installation took place on Thursday , 7 th inst ., when Brother Herbert Hunt was installed W . M , by the Deputy Provincial Grand Master Rev . C J . Martyn P . G . C

Royal Arch.

ROYAL ARCH .

. , GALLERY CHAPTER , No . 1928 . rTVHE annual installation festival of this Chapter took place on Saturday , I at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet Street , B . C ., when the Principals elected at the previous convocation were installed in their respective chairs . Comp . J . Hurdell M . E . Z . presided , and with the assistance of his colleagues opened the Chapter .

The , minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed , after which Comp . 'John Read P . G . O . was installed as First Principal of the Chapter . He then proceeded to invest Comp . Percy Wallace Husk as H . and Comp . J . J . Fretwell as J ., both the ceremonies being admirably rendered . The ballot having proved unanimous in favour of Bros , the Rev . J . Stephen Barrass , Alfred F . Robbins , and E . A . Peachey , all of the Gallery Lodge ,

they were properly prepared , and exalted to the Supreme Degree according to ancient custom . During the ceremony Comp . Wright acted as S . N ., Comp .. Orlton Cooper as P . S ., and Comp . H . L . Bell as 1 st Assist . Soj . The lectures were given from the respective chairs by the newly installed Principals , and elicited the high commendation of the Chapter . The following Officers for the year were appointed : —Comps . Herbert Wright S . E ., Orlton Cooper S . N ., E . E . Peacock P . Z . Treasurer , Asher

Myers P . S ., J . C . Manning P . Z . D . C ., Henry E . Peacock Steward , and T . Sheppard Janitor . The balance sheet , showing a considerable improvement in the finances of the Chapter , was presented and adopted . There being no other business the Chapter was closed , and the convocation adjourned till January next . In addition to the Companions above mentioned there were present H . Massey P . Z ., Lionel F . Gowing , T . G . Scott , and W . John Songhurst Z . 720 .

HORNSEY CHAPTER OF IMPROVEMENT , No . 890 . AT the Prince of Wales Hotel , Eastbourne Terrace , Bishop ' s Road , . Paddington , W ., on the 1 st inst ., J . Bailey P . Z . 1602 Z ., J . W . Ferguson P . Z . 177 H ., M . Speigel P . Z . 834 1506 P . P . G . S . B . Surrey J ., H . Dehane P . Z . 890 P . P . G . P . S . Essex S . E ., Dr . J . N . Whitlock J .-elect 1642 S . N ., J . C . Tilt P . Z . 862 Treas ., A . J . Taylor Z . 186 P . S ., A . Hardy P . Z . 185 1 st Assist ., J . J . Mackay .

The Chapter was declared open . The minutes of the last convocation were read and confirmed . The ceremony of exaltation was leheaxsed , Comp . Mackay candidate . Comps . Whitlock and Mackay were elected members and acknowledged the compliment . After hearty good wishes the Chapter was closed , tho Officers having been elected for the ensuing two weeks , Comp . Ferguson as Z .

Mark Masonry.

MARK MASONRY

ELLIOTT LODGE , No . 169 . BRO . JOHN PITTUCK may congratulate himself on becoming the Master of one of the most successful Mark Lodges in the Three Towns , namely the Elliott , holding its meetings at the Masonic Hall , Caroline Place , Stonehouse . Exceptional energy on the part of the Secretary Bro . J . Gidley and the members , during the past few years has brought about good results , says the " Western Mercury . "

At the installation , on the 29 th ult ., there were present a large number of members and visiting Brethren . At the close of the business the company partook of the annual supper , in the Lodge refreshment room , over which the newly-installed Master presided . Bro . R . Stoneman S . W ., in submitting the health of the Master Bro . Pittuck , eulogised the manner in which he had carried out his duties during his connection with Lodge Elliott . The toast was received with the greatest enthusiasm .

Bro . Pittuck , who was cheered on rising to respond , thanked the _ Lodge for the kindly references , and exhorted those present to unite in the endeavour to enable it to maintain its present proud position .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Correspondents . All Letters must bear the name and address of the writer , not necessarily for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications .

PEOVINGIAL GHAEITY FUNDS AND JEWELS .

To the Editor of the FBEEMASOU ' S CHBONICXE . DEAR SIB AND BEOTHEB , —Referring to the letter of your correspondent " On the Road " in your issue of the 2 nd inst ., and your editorial remark " The question may arise , however , how far the wearing of these honorary jewels is at variance with Rule 289 of the Constitutions "allow me to point out : 1 . That the law is now governed by Rule 283 of the 1896 edition ; which is , however , identical with 289 of the 1884 edition .

2 . That an honorary Provincial Charity Jewel would appear to be governed by the same Rule as applies to Founder ' s Jewels : " the device must appertaint to , or be consistent with , those degrees which are recognised and acknowledged by the G . L . as part of pure and ancient Masonry . " I take it the former are quite as legal as the latter .

Yours fraternally , LEX SCHIPTA . 11 th October 1897 .

The annual installation meeting of , the All Saints Lodge , No . 1716 , will take place next Thursday , by special dispensation , at the Holborn Restaurant , when Bro . Ernest Jones will be installed in the chair of the Lodge . The ceremony will be performed by Bro . Leonard Potts P . M .

The annual festival of the Lodge of Sympathy , No . 488 , was held at Gravesend , on Wednesday , when Bro . Charles Matthews was duly installed in the chair . A report of the proceedings will appear in our next issue .

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